A FREE local debt advice service is celebrating 15 years of helping people and their families in Rugby to sort out their finances.
Staff and supporters of Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP) Rugby’s Debt Centre gathered at the Shine A Light charity in Rugby Central shopping centre to mark the anniversary.
The celebration coincided with Debt Relief Day – a local fund-raiser where participants were ‘wearing briefs for debt relief’ on their heads to reinforce the message that ‘some things are embarrassing – getting help with your debts isn’t one of them’.
The participants from six churches said the unusual headgear provoked confusion from some onlookers – but sparked conversations about debt and opportunities for local people to hear about the free help that is available.
Mayor Simon Ward, who enjoyed a ‘brief encounter’ with the volunteers, said: “It was great to meet CAP team members and hear about the important work they do.
“The message is simple and so important – if you find yourself in debt there’s no shame, plus there is support and advice available for you. The CAP team in Rugby are very passionate about this.”
Revive Churches Together commissioned the Debt Centre in partnership with debt and budgeting help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in 2009.
Since then, CAP Rugby’s Debt Centre has assisted many local families with their finances, and helped 79 people to go debt free.
Rugby Debt Centre Manager Karen Swaffield said: “We are really excited to celebrate our 15-year anniversary and all the households who are now debt free.
“We have been able to offer free debt help to almost 400 people, as well as money coaching courses which empower people to take control of their money and develop budgeting skills for life.
“We have seen over 120 people complete their appointments, and 79 people have gone debt free so far, with a total of £1.32million of debt repaid or written off.
“This support has helped restore hope, save family relationships, improve people’s mental wellbeing and brought a brighter future to many local lives.
She added the charity was raising money to expand its services and offer more support for local people.
She added: “We’re delighted to have been awarded one year’s funding from Warwickshire County Councillors for a new Debt Coach, which is fantastic, but we needed more help to meet our fundraising target of £15,000.”
A recent CAP client who became debt free saidL “I felt sick and nauseous with worry. I would leave home for the school run in the morning and then stay away all day until returning with the kids, for fear of the bailiffs coming. I had to keep my doors locked, and my head down.
“I wouldn’t answer the phone and was getting bombarded by text messages and emails, and even when I tried to respond to the creditors they wouldn’t listen.
“I was at my wits end. I was trapped in a corner and realised it was time to face my situation. This was probably the hardest step. Before I came to CAP for help, life felt stressful and trapped; now it’s freedom. There’s no hiding anymore!”
Visit www.becchurch.org.uk/cap-rugby or contact Karen Swaffield at [email protected] for more information, or to support the CAP centre.
Call CAP’s helpline on 0800 328 0006 for free debt help.
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