Refresh Charity of the Year

Re:fresh books’ Charity of the Year 2009 is Christians Against Poverty.

CAP is a national debt counselling charity with a network of 92 centres based in local churches.  It is a Christian organisation but will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs.  It’s services are free.  It is recognised within the finance industry.  This means that local councils, mortgage companies and utilities recognise CAP and are happy for it to negotiate on behalf of their debtors, knowing that it will seek a realistic and fair solution.

THE PROBLEM OF DEBT According to CAP, one in nine doors in this country hides a family in debt.  A survey of CAP clients revealed the following startling statistics:-   •   67% had missed meals       with 22% doing so regularly.   •  80% lived in fear.   •  6% had attempted suicide    •  34% had considered suicide.   •  69% visited their GP as a      result of debt    •  41% were prescribed medication.   •  39% said debt caused arguments   •  17% said it had led to broken      relationships.

CAP works in partnership with local churches.   People in need are encouraged to contact the CAP helpline 0800 328 0006 in the first place.   CAP then follows a standard procedure:-
  •   A trained Debt Advisor and Support Worker from the local CAP Centre will visit the client in their home to discuss their problem and provide immediate support.
  •   The CAP office will then work out a realistic budget for the client, prioritising their bills.  It will negotiate affordable payments with each creditor and, where possible, eliminate unfair interest and charges.  The local Debt Advisor will then visit the client to explain the budget and payments.
  •   A CAP Account is then set up.  This acts like a simple bank account into which the client makes a single weekly or monthly payment.  CAP then distributes the money to the creditors on behalf of the client.

Christians Against Poverty was established in 1996.  It aims to have 500 CAP Centres, covering all major UK towns and cities, by 2021.   Thirteen new centres have opened recently or are due to open in the near future, including centres in North Cheam and Woking.  A Surbiton church is in talks with CAP and hopes to open a centre later in the year.

Refresh books’ has a collecting box on the counter where customers can make a donation.  It also has some free literature about CAP.  
A number of CAP publications are available through re:fresh including its latest book Journeys of Hope, which tells 12 stories of people who’s lives have been changed through the work of CAP.  The stories range from Mark and Lyndsay, a couple torn apart by attempted suicide to Andy, a corporate solicitor who gave it all up to defend the rights of those without a voice.

Further information and news can be found on the CAP website http://www.capuk.org