CAP - Christians Against Poverty

Of those in debt:

- 67% missed meals with 22% doing so regularly.
- 80% lived in fear.
- 6% attempted suicide with 34% considering suicide.
- 69% visited their GP as a result of debt with 41% being prescribed medication.
- 39% said debt caused arguments, with another 17% saying debt led to their relationship breakdown.

The stats above are taken from the website of an organisation that has only recently come to my attention - Christians Against Poverty.

As its name would suggest this is an organisation focussed on reducing poverty within the UK, which it hopes to achieve by offering free debt counseling to those in need. It does so through partnering with local churches, who burdened for the needy, set up "CAP centers" within the church, receive specialist training from CAP, equipping them to reach out into their local communities helping those most effected by debt. It was founded in 1996 by John Kirkby and there are now 72 centers nationwide. 

From reading their website they operate as a kind of debt consolidation firm, except they have close links with credit companies, and lenders, allowing them to negotiate new interest rates for people who are being crippled by ever increasing loans. As a result they are in the unique position to help people pay their own ways out of debt, through sensible money management and budgeting. 

Check out the website and read more about the work this organisation does and the results that they continue to achieve, and "make your mark on UK poverty".

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