An exciting new venture opened up in the Weston-super-Mare area in June 2016. It is a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre.
The CAP Debt Centre for Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area has been set up and funded by local churches. CAP work through a lead church, which is in partnership with other churches. Destiny Church have taken the role as Lead Partner working with other partner churches. Each church is sharing in the costs of employing the Centre Manager on a part-time basis. They also contribute to the costs of the CAP service, which is based in Bradford. The CAP Debt Centre provides debt counselling through community-based home visits to help lift people out of debt and poverty.
Christians Against Poverty was set up in 1996 and it’s aim is to help people caught in the grip of debt and poverty. There are around 300 CAP Debt Centres in the UK and, on average, 2,500 families become debt-free every year, with a number of these coming to Christ.
The CAP debt counselling service is available to anyone regardless of age, gender, race or background. It’s available on a freephone number (0800 328 0006). CAP Debt Coaches visit people in their own homes and work with them during a number of visits to help them to become debt free.
Paul Larcombe, formerly Team Rector of the Parish of Worle, has taken the role as CAP Centre Manager for the Weston-super-Mare area. Paul is looking for volunteers to help with prayer, visiting, blessings and client events. There isn’t a physical centre and Paul will be taking referrals for home visits from agencies such as Weston Foodbank, housing associations and welfare charities.
CAP have recently expanded their services to help people with budgeting and life skills, as well as bringing release from addictions and unemployment.
The Weston Area CAP Centre was launched at a service on Sunday 26 June 2016 at 3pm, which took place at Priory School, Worle, where Destiny Church meet on Sunday mornings. Chris Brown, a senior manager from CAP, spoke about the amazing CAP story and encouraged people to become involved.
Paul can be contacted on 07563 880577 or paullarcombe@capuk.org. Details about CAP can be found at https://capuk.org/