Great Yarmouth Christian charity warns of crippling impact of debt

31st July 2018
Jacob Massey reports


 
The charity's report found that many people struggling with debt consider suicide Picture: Thinkstock/AntonioGuillem
 

The manager of a Great Yarmouth charity has issued a warning about the potentially devastating effects of debt

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a national charity that helps people tackle debt by organising counselling, money management, and job clubs

Last month, the charity published their latest client report, which indicates that almost a third of their clients had considered suicide at some stage due to debt

The report also found that almost ?40pc were afraid to leave their ?homes, 75pc were afraid to answer the telephone and 80pc were scared to open their post

Pat Hillier, who manages the ?Great Yarmouth branch of CAP, said debt is often caused by relationship breakdowns, unemployment, problems with benefits, illness, and bereavement - with the report highlighting the destructive impact debt can have

She said: “It’s heart breaking; there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of people in this area, living in isolation with a poverty secret. The sad truth is they may live in the same street as us, but they’re suffering from extreme loneliness because of their debts"

“People are created for community, they’re social beings, and the long term damage of living with loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day"

“It means that they can’t provide for their children, don’t have enough food to eat or can’t heat their home. Tragically, it even makes some of them consider taking their own lives"

“If your finances are out of control, please give us a call and let us help you get your life back on track”

Great Yarmouth’s CAP debt centre was launched in January 2017 at Park Baptist Church in Crown Road

The charity provides services across the borough, visiting clients in their home and working with each until they become debt free, while head office staff in Bradford negotiate with creditors and devise budgets

CAP’s services are available to all irrespective of faith, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or race

The charity has grown since its foundation in 1996 to a service that helps alleviate poverty through 624 church based projects across the country

To find out more about CAP, visit www.capuk.org or call 0800 328 0006

this article first appeared on the Yarmouth Mercury website and is reproduced with permission
  

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