Churches called to help debt-ridden Londoners

Christians Against Poverty are urging churches in London to lend a helping hand to people caught in the trap of personal debt.

A team from the charity is in the capital this week for series of events to engage church leaders in the city and tell them about the ways they can help.

CAP runs free debt counselling services in 190 towns and cities across the UK, with 21 in London alone.

The centres are based in local churches and CAP hopes that more churches in London will make themselves available so that new centres can open where there are currently none.

CAP's founder John Kirkby said: “The heart-break comes when someone rings from an area where we have no partner church and we have to sign-post them to something that we know in our heart-of-hearts just won't be quite as good.”

According to the organisation's own research, more than a third of clients calling for debt help are suicidal. Many regularly miss meals, struggle with relationships and endure sleepless nights.

The charity said that the average amount owed by its existing clients in London was £17,244, around £4,000 more than many of them earn per year. CAP said the amounts owed by its London clients was pushed up by rental debt.

“For those thousands of clients we do see, there is often a dramatic transformation as we sit in their homes and listen to what has happened, contact their creditors, work out a budget and help them feel some hope," said Mr Kirkby.

“We don't want churches to miss out on the opportunity to serve people in debt and see their situation turned around."

Church leaders are being asked to attend breakfast presentations happening in Twickenham, Harringey, Barnet, Harrow, Barking and Eltham or a partnership day on Wednesday at Central Hall, Westminster for anyone wanting to find out more in detail.

Senior leaders wanting to attend any of the above should call 01274 760580 and ask to speak to a member of the church partnership team.