Today national debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) launch their #BreakFree campaign in Menai, encouraging those with problem debt and financial worries to engage with CAP’s free debt management services, available across Wales.
The campaign follows a recent CAP report*, highlighting that 45 percent of CAP’s clients across the UK didn’t know where to seek help, with almost two thirds (62 percent) thinking they could resolve their debt problems by themselves alone.
According to a Bevan Foundation , since May 2021, 25 percent of Welsh 1 households have borrowed money to cope with living costs, with 12 percent of households one month behind paying a bill. CAP’s client report* also highlights that CAP clients in Wales receive the lowest incomes when compared to the rest of the UK.
Mark King, CAP’s Debt Centre Manager based in Menai said, “Before the pandemic we were seeing families struggling, but Covid has exacerbated what were already difficult situations. Most of our clients have struggled to keep up with paying for their basic needs – such as feeding their families and keeping their homes warm.
“But more recent hikes in food and utility bills – and with the energy price cap rising again from 1st April – means that the cost of living will rocket for many in Menai, undoubtedly causing people to fall into problem debt.”
https://www.bevanfoundation.org/resources/poverty-in-winter-2021/
Christians Against Poverty is a nationally recognised charity that works to help the most vulnerable out of poverty across the UK. The charity is unique in that it offers a free face-to-face debt management service, where a local Menai Debt Advisor will visit you in your own home. Meanwhile, CAP’s head office accredited specialists negotiate with creditors, and create a pathway out of debt for the client.
“The debt help process offered by CAP really is unique,” says Mark King. “Our Menai team is here on the ground to help people locally, give them support, encouragement and practical help as they make their journey towards becoming debt free.
“We know it’s not easy to ask for help. People often feel ashamed and embarrassed about being in debt; one in four CAP clients live in silence for three years before they reach out for help. Debt results in people feeling alone, anxious and depressed, leading some people to have suicidal thoughts. Only the other week I visited a woman in Menai about her debt; she texted me later that day, saying ‘Thank you for coming over to help me – I don’t feel so alone now’.”
There are twelve CAP Debt Centres across Wales. To get in touch with your local CAP Debt Centre in Menai, simply call freephone 0800 328 0006 or go to www.capuk.org/i-want-help/our-services/cap-debt-help/free-debt-help-in-wales
