Christian debt advice centre opens in Norfolk
 Christians Against Poverty (CAP), the national debt counselling charity, is opening the first debt counselling centre in Norfolk which is good news for debt-ridden families who fear they may crumble under the financial pressures of Christmas and the recession.
The centre is opening in Aylsham in partnership with Aylsham Community Church so individuals in the North Norfolk area will now be able to take advantage of the charity’s free, specialist advice.
Angie Rusbridge, Centre Manager, said the service, at the Jubilee Family Centre, Norwich Road, had come at just the right time. She says, "People really start thinking about money in December and January. That's when the pressure really hits. It's a time of worry for a lot of people."
The free service will not only offer advice and support but will also take a hands-on approach by setting budgets and negotiating with creditors. Debtors can call the charity, which has over 120 centres across the country, to make an appointment for Angie to come to their home and talk through their problems. She gathers information about their finances and a specialist debt advisor draws up a budget to ensure they can pay essential bills like food and heating and organises repayment schedules.
Angie, a trained accountant, says, “It’s a brilliant service. We see people in their own homes because that’s where all their paperwork is and often we can do something immediate and practical to help. We offer first class debt advice as well as being evangelistic. The majority of people we deal with aren’t Christians. We always offer to pray with people on the first visit and 90% of them say yes. If people say they don’t want any Christian input then we will respect this and provide them with the debt advice. We are just happy to bless people.”
Matt Barlow, UK CEO, Christians Against Poverty, said: “We are thrilled to open our latest centre in North Norfolk. We aim to bring hope and a free, practical solution to the problem of debt, whilst helping individuals through the often traumatic consequences, which can include divorce, going hungry and even attempted suicide.
"Angie Rusbridge will be a fantastic asset to us as a charity, as we seek to help even more people across the UK and we have every confidence that the local community in North Norfolk will soon feel the benefits of having a CAP centre on their doorstep.”
Angie, pictured above, works within a 30 minute drive of Aylsham, which includes North Walsham, Coltishall, Wroxham, Reepham, Cromer, Sheringham, Holt and the surrounding areas. She still has some appointment slots available before Christmas. She says, “The worst thing someone in debt can do is stay silent, so I would urge anyone in financial difficulty in the area to contact me.”
To make an appointment with Angie call Christians Against Poverty on freephone 0800 328 0006 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Get involved with CAP
 If anyone is interested in finding out more about CAP they can follow this link to receive a free copy of a book which tells the story of CAP and how it started through diary entries of the founder and International Director, John Kirkby. Angie says it was this book that inspired her to give up her job and persuade the leadership at Aylsham Community Church to open a CAP centre! - CAP provide speakers to come and talk at church services and events. If you would like more information, contact Angie on angierusbridge@capuk.org or 07775 615620. or 07775 615620.
- For more information about CAP go to www.capuk.org
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