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CAP Debt Centres expand to save more Norfolk families
 

Christians Against Poverty Debt Centres have been expanding across Norfolk to help more families go debt-free and to provide vital relief from the associated problems of debt.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centres literally save lives. They keep families together, relieve stress, restore health, keep people in their homes, provide friendship and can connect people to church and to the God that loves them.

Of over 300 CAP Debt Centres across the country there are now four in Norfolk. In March King’s Lynn launched a Debt Centre adding to the vital work of the three established centres in Fakenham, Norwich and Mid-Norfolk, which itself covers the five market towns of Thetford, Dereham, Attleborough, Swaffham and Watton.

When financial trouble hits, it’s easy to feel alone and like no-one can help, however CAP really can help, and is already helping hundreds of people nationally who call up every week. In Norfolk the Debt Centres are often working at capacity, with services booked up in advance.

The Norwich CAP Debt Centre based at Surrey Chapel has recently taken on a new Debt Coach to help cope with demand. They are currently serving 38 clients and have seen approximately 98 individuals and families go debt free within the past four years.  Since the Fakenham Debt Centre launched out of Fakenham Baptist Church two years ago they have seen 19 families go debt-free and at the moment have 18 CAP Plans active with families working to become debt-free either through a repayment plan or insolvency.

The Mid Norfolk Debt Centre run in partnership with the Fountain of Life Church in Ashill is running at capacity serving 24 families and individuals a year and is constantly booked up three months in advance. In May it had already helped five families go debt-free within the calendar year.

A CAP client from Norfolk said: “Life had become miserable for me. I was frightened when the doorbell rang, unable to open the post, and felt fearful whenever the phone rang. Working with CAP has given me relief. I now know that I don’t have to be afraid and I have regained my self-esteem.”

Local churches partner with CAP to bring this service to Norfolk people in their own homes, negotiate with creditors and support people all the way until they become debt-free. This whole service is free of charge and available to anyone regardless of age, faith, gender or background.

Centre Managers John Graver (Norwich), Emily Hart (King’s Lynn), Suzanne Bushby (Fakenham) and Heather Nunn (Mid Norfolk) all agree: “Every week we see people who think there is no way out of their money problems and every week we offer them a solution that really works. If you are struggling with debt then there is hope. We can help you.”

Combining CAP's expertise with the love and message of the church, CAP has a life-transforming mix. Every year more than 16,000 people nationally access debt help and more than 800 people become Christians through our Debt Help work. 7,250 people each year are visited in their own homes and more than 2,500 people go debt free each year.

To find out more including how to access your local Debt Centre, call Christians Against Poverty’s freephone number 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org.