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Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) vs. transgender people

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Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a social policy charity based in the United Kingdom that consistently opposes transgender rights. CARE was listed in Amnesty International UK’s reports on the anti-rights movements in the UK.

note: for the unrelated humanitarian and development organization, see CARE International.

Background

What became CARE was founded in 1971 by Baptist missionaries Peter and Janet Hill as the informal organization National Festival of Light, The movement was formally launched at Westminster Central Hall on September 9, 1971, where its opening meeting was disrupted by members of the Gay Liberation Front during “Operation Rupert.” Throughout September 1971, the Festival organized over 70 regional rallies, a nationwide day of prayer on September 19, and beacon-lighting events across Britain on September 23, culminating in large public gatherings in Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park.

Following the events, the organizing committee remained active, holding campaigns, publishing materials, and gradually shifting from public rallies toward policy and educational work. In 1981, Lyndon Bowring became chair. In 1983, the trust adopted the name Christian Action Research and Education (CARE), eventually creating a number of affiliated projects, including:

  • Care for the Family (now independent of CARE)
  • Caring Services [anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers”] (active 1991–2011 as charity number 1006254)
  • Care Confidential [anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers”] (active 2011–2015 as charity number 1141673)
  • LIFE 2009 [anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers”] (merged with Care Confidental in 2015 as charity number 1128355)
  • Care for Education (active 1980s and 1990s; later ended through reorganization)
  • Fostering, Long Term and Remand Care (active 1980s and 1990s; later ended through reorganization)

The present legal entity was incorporated as a company on December 10, 1997 under company number 03481417. Shortly afterward, it was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on December 18, 1997 as charity 1066963.

Anti-trans activism

CARE has become increasingly active on issues relating to gender identity and transgender policy since about 2016. Key areas of focus include:

  • opposition to Gender Recognition Act reform
  • opposition to laws banning conversion therapy
  • opposition to trans-inclusive teaching in schools
  • opposition to trans healthcare for young people
  • pastoral resources for churches, including a Preacher’s Toolkit

People

Founders

  • Janet Hill: co-founder National Festival of Light
  • Peter Hill: co-founder National Festival of Light
  • Malcolm Muggeridge: co-founder National Festival of Light
  • Frank Pakenham: co-founder National Festival of Light
  • Mary Whitehouse: co-founder National Festival of Light

Trustees

  • Alexander Bruce Duguid
  • Kamesh Flynn
  • Simon Martyn Begbey
  • Mark Richard Parsons
  • Jason Angus MacKenzie
  • Rev Charles Trefusis
  • Michael Green
  • Charlie Hoare
  • Lucy Rochelle

Staff

  • Ross Hendry: CEO
  • Angela Owusu-Chambers: Operations Manager
  • Catherine Lavender: Donor Care
  • Celia Bowring: Prayer Champion
  • Hannah Heaton: Communications Officer
  • Ian Bingham: Head of CARE NI
  • Isaac Bannister: Digital Media Producer
  • Jack Lawther: Policy Officer
  • James Mildred: Director of Communications and Engagement
  • Julia Grant: Director of Philanthropy
  • Lyndon Bowring: Co-Founder
  • Michael Veitch: Scotland Policy Officer
  • Michelle Jones: Head of Events
  • Pete Killingley: Head of Church Engagement (England)
  • Peter Ladd: Head of Content
  • Philippa Taylor: Director of the IFC
  • Stuart Weir: Head of CARE for Scotland
  • Tim Cairns: Senior Policy Officer
  • Tom Kendall: Strategic Assistant to the CEO & Company Secretary

Selected publications by CARE

Staff report (May 2026). Transgender: Preacher’s Toolkit. CARE https://care.org.uk/uploads/blocks/Transgender-Toolkit-05-26.pdf

Ladd, Peter (undated). What is gender dysphoria? CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/what-is-gender-dysphoria

Ladd, Peter (undated). Seven ways to pray about gender ideology. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/7-ways-to-pray-about-gender-ideology

Ladd, Peter (undated). Peter Ladd: Transgender Ideology – a Biblical deepdive. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/transgender-ideology-a-biblical-deepdive

Ladd, Peter (undated). 10 resources you should know about gender ideology. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/10-resources-you-should-know-about-gender-ideology

Ladd, Peter (undated). 10 things you should know about the transgender debate. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-transgender-debate

Ladd, Peter (undated). Gender Ideology: a glossary of key terms. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/gender-ideology-a-glossary

Mildred, James (~2024). Understanding the Cass Review. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/explainer-cass-report-on-gender-identity-services

Wells, Dan (undated). How to speak to your child about gender. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/how-to-speak-to-my-child-about-gender

Wells, Dan (undated). How to pastor someone struggling with their gender. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/how-to-pastor-someone-struggling-with-their-gender

Wells, Dan (undated). Progressive fight or outdated stereotypes? What does it mean to be male or female? CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/progressive-fight-or-outdated-stereotypes-what-the-gender-wars-get-wrong-about-being-male-and-female

Bunt, Andrew (undated). Andrew Bunt: A better story for people questioning their gender identity. https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/a-better-story-for-people-questioning-their-gender-identity

Maxwell, Julie (undated). Julie Maxwell: The shocking truth about what is being taught in schools. CARE https://care.org.uk/cause/transgender/the-shocking-truth-about-what-is-being-taught-in-schools

Media

CARE with Peter Ladd (February 7, 2025). Understanding Transgender | CARE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYjgl2Is9Eo

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Christian Action Research and Education (care.org.uk)

Care for the Family (careforthefamily.org.uk)

Life 2009 (lifecharity.org.uk)

UK Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)

UK Register of Charities (register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Linktree (linktr.ee)

X/Twitter (x.com)