Debt counselling service marking fifth anniversary

In the Autumn of 2009, members of Greenisland Baptist Church felt they wanted to do more to help people tackle their financial worries.

They partnered with UK debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty and received training to open a local branch.

On Sunday, November 30 at 10.55am, the congregation will be attending the Glassillan Grove church for a lunch and special CAP service to celebrate the hundreds of families who have benefited from the free, face-to-face debt counselling.

Jacqui Robb, Carrickfergus CAP centre manager, said: “Debt isn’t just about the lack of money someone has. It’s about what it does to a person, often when they are already feeling very low from unemployment, relationship breakdown or illness.

“The great pleasure of doing this job is to see the rapid change that comes about when people have that burden lifted and they see order restored. Hope creeps in again and that is an amazing thing to see.”

After calling the freephone number, all clients are seen in their own home. Any paperwork such as unpaid bills are collected and sent to CAP’s head office where staff negotiate with every creditor, construct a budget and examine the best route out of debt.

The CAP Money Course teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based system. It is run over three evenings and will help anyone to get more in control of their finances, so they can budget, save and prevent debt.

There are five or six courses run in east Antrim every year – the next one starts in Carrickfergus at 7:45pm on Tuesday 23 November 2014.

If you would like to register a free place on this or the next CAP Money Course in your area, contact Ian Miller on 07545266722.

Or check the website for more information https://capuk.org/i-want-help/cap-money-course/introduction