People in South Holland feeling the pressure of heavy debt or poverty have a new place to turn to for help.
Spalding and the surrounding areas covered by postcodes PE11 and PE12 have been identified as having a definite need for a CAP (Christians Against Poverty) debt centre. So one is opening in Spalding on Monday, April 3 – but those in need do not have to wait until then to start seeking help. A call to the freephone number 0800 3280006 will start the ball rolling.
CAP is a charity offering a professional service. South Holland Community Church, The Lighthouse Church, Harvest Church and St Mary and St Nicolas Church (all Spalding) have pulled together to offer support to CAP, which already has centres in Peterborough, Stamford, Sleaford and Boston. Until now, requests for help from South Holland have had to be turned away.
Spalding St John’s Centre manager Jean Thomson says the service is available free of charge to everybody, not just Christians.
She said: “Debt can be really crushing but this service will support clients by making a management plan.
“Our debt counsellors at our head office in Bradford will deal with people’s creditors and stop the phone calls and door knocking.
“We arrange a home visit and pull all the information together and investigate what their problems are.
“We then take that away, build a debt plan and then people pay a regular certain amount into their plan.
“That way we help them make their way out of debt and become debt-free.”
Anybody wanting to find out more can attend one of two sessions (9am-10.30am or 11.30-1pm) at The Lighthouse Church in Haverfield Road, Spalding on Sunday (March 26). Peterborough CAP centre manager Ken Pullen is the guest speaker.
CAP is recognised by The Department for Work and Pensions and has the backing of Prince Charles, former Prime Minister David Cameron and MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis.
