Who we are: our values, vision and ways of working
Church Action on Poverty is a Christian social justice charity.
We work with people in poverty, churches of all denominations, community groups and others, to identify the causes of poverty and address them together.
We put gospel values of justice and compassion into practice, inspired by the Christian call to challenge unjust structures. We engage in social action, political engagement, prayer and theology.
Justice
Poverty is a form of oppression. It is the needless, scandalous result of human decision and indecision.
The UK has the money and the knowledge to create a wonderful and just society, full of opportunity and security. But right now, the country allows poverty to continue. It denies people dignity, freedom and power in their own lives, and locks many people out of the shared spaces and opportunities that should belong to us all.
We urgently need power-holders to work with people in poverty to address this, to allow all people a fair chance to live life to the full.
Relationships & support
We know that the real experts on poverty are the people who live it. Our work is driven by their experiences and knowledge.
We cherish lasting relationships, and support people with first-hand insights to dig deep into the causes of poverty in their community, and then to be seen and heard where it matters: in our churches, in the media, in our local and national politics; wherever decisions are made that will affect their lives.
We want to dismantle barriers to participation. We know people and communities have immense wisdom and inherent power to generate and help create solutions to the issues they face. We bring decision-makers and ordinary people together, to find joint solutions – and, if need be, we support people to demand to be heard.
Hope & action
We are full of hope. The people, churches and grassroots groups we work with have immense and inspiring compassion and goodness.
But we know that hope without action is meaningless. Hope must inspire action. We believe in the power of the church as a force for good, and so we equip and encourage churches and Christians to take local action and also to work for wider social justice, sharing knowledge, connections and resources and learning.
Our vision, as a Christian organisation, is of a UK transformed, a country where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We believe that vision can be realised.
The prophet Amos wrote: Let justice roll on like a river. That’s what we strive to do. Will you join us?
A movement in numbers
What we do: our work
Challenge Poverty Week England and Wales
Church on the Margins
Church on the Margins
Poverty Media Unit
Self-Reliant Groups
Self-Reliant Groups
Speaking Truth to Power
Speaking Truth to Power
