Church congregations in Bangor are so concerned with the resulting hardships of the pandemic in their local community they have partnered with a charity to offer free, professional debt help.
Members of Mosaic Church Bangor, amongst others, wanted to better serve people living with the pressure of debt and got in touch with UK debt help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP). After much fundraising, the new Menai Debt Centre is already open but will host it’s official Launch on the 10th October 2021, offering free debt help.
Church Leader, Kevin Mundy, said: “Debt stress can be so destructive. It affects family relationships, health and can be very isolating. As a compassionate community, we wanted to provide people with a route out of debt and CAP is distinct because it does that in partnership with the church.
“Debt can be caused by many different reasons – ill health, bereavement, relationship breakdown or low income – so it may not just be due to the pandemic although we know that many people in our area have had a reduction in hours or income and may be struggling.
“Getting help as early as possible can make a big difference.
“We want everyone in our area to know that our service is here, completely free of charge.
“We are now in the process of putting a dedicated Debt Centre Manager, Mark King and key members of our church through training with CAP to offer a face-to-face, tried-and-tested professional service which will see people escape that debt trap and get their lives back on track.”
CAP has around 300 church-based debt help centres across the UK offering a free service that begins with three home visits. Although the service has been adapted to include video appointments to adhere to social distancing guidelines the support that is offered on a local level will make a difference for people who have felt isolated and alone.
TV’s Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has described CAP as “unsurpassed” in its in-depth service which encourages and supports each household to repay what they owe – or go through insolvency – until the day they are debt free.
