CAP - Christians Against Poverty

Struggling with Debt?

In 2004 The Emmanuel Ministry Team met to discuss strategies to integrate with the locality, and explore ideas around demonstrating and sharing what Jesus teaches in a practical way to Fleetwood and the surrounding areas. The team looked at drugs, homelessness, etc but eventually arrived at the escalating problem of debt.

In May of that year a small delegation went to Bradford to look at Christians Against Poverty which was a growing national debt counselling charity. To cut a long story short rather than `re-invent the wheel` the Church went into partnership with CAP and appointed David Tudor as Manager of the Fleetwood Centre which opened its doors in Oct 2005.

To explain the process: when somebody rings the centre we make an appointment to see them in the comfort of their own home where we then gather all the financial information about incomings, outgoings and all the debts a client has. Following this we take the information and prepare a budget which is tailored to the financial circumstances of the individual but with essential bills always being priority ie rent, utilities, food etc. We then present a CAP ACCOUNT which is the vehicle priority bills and debts are paid through (a bit like a small bank) so either weekly or monthly payments simplifies a persons finances and creditors are paid an appropriate amount rather than who shouts the loudest.

If debts are too large and therefore unable to be paid in a realistic time frame there are other options of dealing with severe debt and we can explore these options with a client as this type of situation is not one size fits all.

Since the inception of the centre the client base and need has grown considerably and now has a sizeable waiting list. The charity too has grown with now 102 centres nationwide with centres also in Australia and New Zealand.

The 21st Century problem has just increased in 2008/2009 with a global credit crunch with small income families being hit the hardest. The official figures state 1 in 9 are facing debt problems and with 59 per cent of under-35s saying they did not feel they had received enough financial education to manage their money well,( as opposed to 46 per cent of the over 55s) .At present we are seeing more people threatened with reposession of their homes and UK personal debt at its highest ever.

CAP in partnership with Emmanuel can offer hope not only to people facing the traumas of debt but with an informative programme called CAP MONEY which is a prevention rather than cure approach offering help and advice to empower people to handle their money effectively.

Whatever the financial situation CAP and Emmanuel together are seeking to engage with the community not only to offer Hope and practical advice but as has been the case over the past 4 years in some cases save lives.

If you need help with debt, advice is available to anyone in need irrespective of race, gender or belief through our debt counselling team.

Contact details -
Fleetwood Centre
Lofthouse Way
Fleetwood, Lancashire
FY7 6ST

t: 0800 328 0006 - New Client Appointment Line
t: 01253 772104 / 875958 - Existing Clients
e: fleetwood@capuk.org

Further information can also be found by visiting CAP website www.capuk.org

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