Debt service marks one year

A Staffordshire debt counselling centre is celebrating its first year of helping local people deal with the consequences of debt. The facility is based in the offices at Beacon Community Church, on High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood.

So far the centre's service has helped more than 30 people cope with the stresses of debt. The centre was created 12 months ago in partnership with national organisation Christians Against Poverty to offer a sustainable debt counselling service to the local community.

Peter Brown, centre manager, said: "This has been a great first year for CAP in Burntwood. After 12 months we are helping to resolve hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of debt which would otherwise, in some cases, be destroying homes, separating couples and driving others to suicide, and it's been a great privilege to be involved with something so professional, so world-class, but still free and available to anyone who needs it."

Debt is a growing problem in society with total UK personal debt exceeding £1.3 billion and is increasing by £1 million every four minutes. At least 45 per cent of the UK adult population has suffered extreme anxiety directly related to the effect of debt.

CAP's work in Burntwood, Cannock, Lichfield and surrounding area provides a unique and practical solution through debt counselling, financial education, budgeting and insolvency services.

During its first year, Pete and the CAP Burntwood team have helped 35 people, not including children.

One of the centre's users who is know only as Ben said: "As a result of a spinal injury I became bedridden. I live alone with no dependants or relatives close by and I wasn't able to attend to my finances, this caused me worry and stress, which made me even more ill.

"Fortunately I remembered reading about CAP Burntwood and I gave them a call. They were superb in advising me and completely non-judgemental."

Ben was up for eviction when he first contacted CAP but the team went to court for him and stopped the eviction, and he is now well on the way to financial stability.

Call Peter Brown on 01543 683596 or email Burntwood@capuk.org