CAP Money Launch to bring hope in most depressing week of year

As the cost of Christmas kicks in and the first credit card bills start to arrive, Christians Against Poverty, the national debt counselling charity, is launching CAP Money so that next year can be different for thousands of people.

CAP Money is a revolutionary money management course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based money management system that really works so that they can be more in control of their finances.

The third week in January is officially the most depressing week of the year, reveals leading statistician and psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall, who specialises in seasonal disorders at the University of Cardiff.

According to Dr Arnall's findings, bad weather, fading Christmas memories, failed New Year's resolutions and the misery of debt cause one in five people to experience depression.

Project manager Kofi Amoakohene praised the CAP Money initiative, "Even though I manage the construction of big buildings, managing my own finances was always a tricky issue.

"The cash-based system meant I was able to keep track of my finances and my expenditure at any point in time. I have much more control over my finances and I know where I am going."

CAP Money is a three-week course featuring a 30-minute DVD presentation by John Kirkby, the founder and international director of CAP. Trained CAP Money coaches are then on hand to work through individual budgets with people.

"We've just run our first CAP Money course and we are now planning three or four more for next year," said Alan Meyer, Senior Minister, Elim Community Church in Carlisle. "The course had a fantastic response and we are looking forward to using it as an evangelistic tool because of the huge impact that it is able to make in people's lives."

One unique feature of CAP Money is its ability to help people struggling with the most severe debts. It offers priority access to CAP Direct, Christians Against Poverty's new phone-based debt counselling service.

"Before CAP Money I felt very insecure and worried about my finances," said Penny Griffiths, a CAP Money delegate. "Now my husband and I feel very confident about our future and for the first time in 26 years will be able to budget."

CAP Money is available to churches for a monthly subscription fee of just £50. This includes high-quality training by CAP of up to three volunteers as Money Coaches, all the materials and priority access to CAP Direct. The church would then offer the course free to all delegates.