North East debt support charity urging those struggling to reach out

They say there is rise in families needing help this time of year due to added pressure

Author: Sophie GreenPublished 11th Oct 2025

A North East debt support charity says this time of year can be difficult for families across the region.

They are encouraging people to reach out if they need support to avoid being stressed about debt.

Linda Stockley, Christians Against Poverty debt centre manager in Newcastle, said: "Everybody is wanting to buy Halloween outfits and decorate the house, then you've got the Christmas decorations that will be in within the next few weeks, if they're not already in.

"But actually you've probably got a huge amount of stuff that you can use if you saved it from last year.

"With the food increases and the cost of heating your home - all of those things are building up within families.

"You're going to have normal pressures layered on top of Christmas pressures as well.

"The mission that CAP has is to actually get people through Christmas without accruing more debt and that's the important part."

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