New Local Debt Advice Centre Opens

Local people caught in the debt trap are now able to get free help thanks to a group of local churches opening a debt counselling centre. Market Drayton Churches Together have partnered with charity Christians Against Poverty to bring its award-winning service to Market Drayton and the surrounding area including Hodnet.

Gill Carley - CAP Centre Manager
Gill Carley – CAP Centre Manager
Market Drayton Centre Manager Gill Carley said: “The Church has always been about offering hope and we’re really pleased to be able to give a tried-and-tested route out of debt alongside other great free debt advice in the area like the Citizens Advice Bureau. There is a lot in the Bible about looking after the poorest. In our society, a lot of poverty is debt-related so our congregations have been working hard to open a CAP centre to help get people back on track.”
CAP offers people a uniquely in-depth, caring service to people with spiralling personal debt regardless of their age, gender, faith or background. Every client is visited in their own home, the charity does all the negotiating with creditors and local volunteers offer support to each person face-to-face until the day they are debt free.
Statistics show that one in three callers seeking debt help are feeling suicidal but find huge relief through the non-judgemental service that treats every person as an individual.
Gill added: “Typically, debts can build up when a relationship breaks down, or someone loses their job, or through bereavement – so often when people are least able to cope with a financial headache. We’re just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our churches with the financial expertise of CAP’s head office in Bradford.”
The new centre covers all residents in the TF9 postcode area along with a few locations (including Marchamley) just outside of it.

Anyone who would like to contact CAP for support can do so by visiting capdebthelp.org
or by phoning 0800 328 0006 or 01274 760839.