Norfolk church joins campaign to take on poverty 

A Mid Norfolk church has partnered with a Christian debt charity to ask people to join its urgent campaign to ‘Take on Poverty’ and help those most in need.

Dereham Baptist Church, which works with debt help and anti-poverty charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), has this week launched its new Taking on Poverty report and campaign aimed at helping people in Norfolk and across the East of England who are struggling to afford the basics and stay out of debt.
 
CAP’s latest report reveals CAP clients in the East of England on average owed over £10,500 at the peak of their debts as costs rise putting more pressure on people’s finances.
 
CAP’s Dereham Debt Centre Manager, Morgan Cockbill, said: “Rising food prices are leaving mums and dads unable to afford to feed their kids. Sky high energy bills mean that pensioners and people with serious or terminal illnesses are scared to put on the heating. Single people are waking up in the night with anxiety attacks over money because their income is so low they’re falling deeper into debt. This is the reality of poverty and it’s devastating the lives of our friends, families, colleagues, neighbours and people in our community here in Dereham.
 
“At Christians Against Poverty and Dereham Baptist Church we are positively fighting against poverty in our area by offering free practical help, such as emergency supplies of food and energy top ups to those in crisis and free debt help and budgeting help to anyone in need.
 
“CAP’s landmark report highlights the desperate struggles our clients are facing right now. As part of our Taking on Poverty campaign we are asking local people to join us in tackling poverty here in Norfolk, the East of England and across the UK.”
 
 
CAP’s Taking on Poverty report has found in the East of England:
 

• CAP clients in the East of England on average owed over £10,500 at the peak of their debts. It would take a client on average 10 years to repay their debts without help.
•  On average they had 13 different debts, that can mean up to 13 different organisations could be chasing them for payment, creating huge financial stress.
• 56% of the money owed by a typical CAP client in the East of England  is due to priority debts, that’s the highest percentage out of anywhere in the UK. These are often for essentials like rent arrears, mortgage, gas and electricity or Council Tax debts.

 
JOIN THE TAKING ON POVERTY CAMPAIGN
 
Morgan said: “Behind these stats are real families and individuals in desperate need who we are meeting to support everyday. Despite the situation, CAP and Dereham Baptist Church are continuing to help people in Norfolk with our free professional services so they are able to break free from the chains of poverty and have hope and happiness restored in their lives again.
 
“Whether it’s helping us raise awareness on social media, volunteering, donating to CAP or maybe even taking on a fun fundraising challenge. There’s lots of ways you can play your part in tackling poverty in our area. Contact us for a chat to find out more about CAP’s life changing work in Dereham and how you can help us.”
 
You can support CAP’s  fundraiser to help people through this cost of living crisis: capuk.org/support or sign up to become a CAP Life Changer and donate each month.
 
Connect with Dereham CAP by emailing: catherineweatherill@capuk.org