Debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP Scotland) have launched their new #BreakFree campaign across Edinburgh, encouraging those with problem debt to engage with free debt help services across all local CAP Scotland centres.
This campaign follows a CAP Scotland report earlier this year, which highlighted that 45% of CAP’s clients did not know where to seek help, and half had waited over a year before seeking debt help.
The 2021 client report by CAP Scotland showed the average peak debt for a CAP client household in Scotland was £19,369 which is higher than the UK average of £17,917. Moreover, the report found it would take Scottish client households an average of 43 years to pay off their debts without debt help. That’s the longest in the UK.
CAP Scotland is a professionally recognised charity that works to help those on low incomes struggling with problem debt. The charity offers a free face-to-face debt help service, with advice and ongoing support. CAP Scotland also provides a range of group services that equip people with practical skills including Job Clubs, Life Skills and CAP Money Courses.
Mark Harris, CAP’s Debt Centre Manager for Edinburgh North said, “Our clients all have very different back stories but the thing they all have in common is that their debt problems are the consequence of other issues in their lives, whether that be physical or mental ill-health, family and relationship issues, or redundancy.
“Sometimes the client is already dealing with those issues but often they need us to provide additional help, to make referrals to other agencies or simply to be with them, willing to listen and to offer comfort and support without judgment. Building trust, confidence and hope in the future is such an important part of what we do and is far beyond the specifics of the pounds and pennies of their financial situation.”
David Strang, Job Club Manager at Mustard Seed Edinburgh and Debt Coach at the CAP Edinburgh North Debt Centre said, “I spent 33 years as a police officer in London and Scotland, often dealing with the most vulnerable members of society, who were either victims of crime or perpetrators.
“Many people I dealt with experienced multiple problems such as poor mental health, addictions, homelessness, unemployment and poverty. My work with Christians Against Poverty now enables me to take a personal approach to each individual we work with.
“Many people who come to our Job Club lack confidence, having been out of work for a long time, perhaps through ill-health or because of childcare. The CAP Job Club makes a real difference in supporting people on their journey back into work.
“We also support people through our Debt Services who are struggling with serious debt problems. They often feel a sense of hopelessness, failure and despair. Our CAP services help them to see that there is a positive way out of their situation, that there is a reason for hope and that they can make a fresh start. It is a real privilege to walk with people on their journey.”
Emma Jackson, Director of CAP Scotland said, “Our services provide practical, person centered support and are completely free and open to all. At CAP, we know, problem debt can devastate people’s lives, affecting physical and mental health. It can destroy relationships and cause so much unnecessary shame and embarrassment that robs people of dignity, causing such isolation.
“We know that many people are worried about how they are going to cope this winter with rising food and fuel costs. Our hope is this campaign will encourage those who need help to reach out to organisations like CAP and start their journey to becoming debt free.”
CAP Scotland has been providing debt help for over twenty years and continues to grow its network and reach across Scotland with 26 Debt Centres and many more additional skills courses.
The work of CAP Scotland can have a far-reaching, positive impact on people’s lives. Laura is a CAP Scotland client from Edinburgh, who said: “I didn’t have enough money to go to a supermarket and get a proper shop. I’d lost so much weight and been sleep deprived for weeks.
“I would definitely recommend CAP to anyone who is struggling with how to manage their debts. You can speak to someone and it really takes the pressure away. I’m sleeping a lot better now, knowing that Mairi [CAP Debt Centre Manager] is going to take over. I don’t have to be the one making the phone calls and being scared.”
To find your local CAP Debt Centre in Scotland please go to www.capscotland.org