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Focus on: Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a national debt counselling charity working through a network of over 100 local church-based centres.

CAP's ultimate vision is to answer the national debt problem by having at least one centre operating in every major UK town and city by the year 2021.

Through its unique in-depth service, CAP offers hope and a solution to anyone in debt. CAP empowers people to help themselves out of poverty by providing sustainable poverty relief through debt counselling, advice and practical help in budgeting skills.

CAP's Leeds centre was opened in 2003 and is based at St Matthias Church Centre, Burley, LS4 2DZ.

Some commonly asked questions about CAP, answered by Leeds West Centre Manager, Christine Taylor:

• Is CAP just for Christians?

No, we will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs, race, nationality, age, gender, marital status, sexual preference or disability.

• Does it cost anything?

No, our service is completely free. CAP receives no government funding and so relies on the generosity of individuals and churches who share our passion to bring justice and salvation to those suffering in debt and poverty.

• What should I, or someone I know, do to get help?

Just ring the Freephone New Enquiries line on 0800 328 0006 or email westleeds@capuk.org . An appointment will then be made with myself and I will then visit you in your own home in the next few weeks.

• What happens next?

The CAP Plan to get out of debt involves each client being visited several times by the debt advisor and their support worker (a church member trained by the centre). CAP HQ then work out a realistic budget, by prioritising essential bills, negotiating affordable payments with each creditor and to stop unfair interest and charges.

A CAP account is set up for the client to make one weekly or monthly payment to cover all debts, which is then distributed by CAP on their behalf. CAP can guide severely indebted clients through the appropriate insolvency route and support all clients until they are debt-free.

• Will the creditors work with CAP?

Yes - Councils, utilities and mortgage companies work collaboratively with CAP and have seen the results our involvement in offering fair repayments based on what people can afford. As long as the living expenses are justified, reasonable and necessary, creditors do accept our repayment offers.

• What other support does CAP offer?

Being in debt creates pressures and stresses which effects people's ability to cope. CAP holds breaks throughout the year to give families a chance to be cared for, have fun and provide space and time to think about the gospel message and how they want their lives to be changed. Many people come back from these breaks with a new-found faith and are introduced to their local church.

If you can support CAP in providing this service to the people of Leeds, please contact 01274760761 to join their Life changer programme.

Date for your diary - 22 November is CAP Sunday. For more information, visit the website at:

http://www.capuk.org/home/index.php

"Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed" (Isaiah 58 v10)