Charity offers lifeline to those in debt

Buy photos » Ted and Ginny Duckett are helping to launch a new debt counselling service for people in Worcester. Picture by Nick Hands 0312044NHR.

PEOPLE struggling to cope with spiralling debts are being offered a lifeline of support in the form of a new debt counselling service in Worcester.

National charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is set to open its first centre in the city this month, working in partnership with All Saints Church on Deansway.

It will be officially launched during a special service at the church this Sunday at 10.30am.

Worcester CAP will be managed by church members Ted and Ginny Duckett who felt inspired to set up the centre after being so impressed by the impact the charity was having in other parts of the country.

The couple hope they will be able to offer fresh hope to those shouldering the burden of debt, especially in the wake of Christmas.

Mr Duckett, 75, said Worcester CAP would reinforce the debt counselling support already offered by city organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Two Pennies Money Advice.

He said: “We were so impressed with the way it worked and could see how relevant it could be for the growing number of people struggling with debt in our city. We felt called by God to seek to establish a centre in Worcester.”

CAP already has nearly 200 centres across the UK and since being established in Bradford 15 years ago the charity has helped more than 30,000 people pay off their debts and rebuild their lives.

It currently saves an average of 50 households from eviction or repossession every month.

The charity’s free support works through a combination of budgeting advice, creditor liaison and personal support throughout the time it takes individuals to become debt-free.

Reverend Rich Johnson, vicar of All Saints Church, said the establishment of Worcester CAP was a vital part of the church’s vision of supporting the most vulnerable people in the city, in partnership with other churches and Christian groups.

Anyone who would like to find out more about how Worcester CAP can help them can call the national freephone number on 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org/gethelp