Debt support organisation urges people to reach out for help
Debt Centre Manager emphasises hope and help for those struggling financially
An anti-poverty organisation supporting people across Wiltshire is urging people with money worries to reach out for help.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP), helps hundreds of people across the country to become debt-free.
CAPs Salisbury Debt Centre Manager, Charlotte Reading says people mustn't "suffer in silence", assuring us that there is help available.
CAP meets people in their homes to create a comfortable environment and works with them through every stage of resolving their debts—a process that can take years.
Their services include practical and emotional support, recognising that financial troubles often coincide with mental health difficulties and isolation.
How CAP supports people in debt
Redding highlighted the variety of reasons people face financial difficulty, ranging from low income to challenges caused by the cost of living crisis.
“People simply don’t have enough to meet their basic needs,” she said. “It’s a wide demographic of people—from those working full-time to those on benefits.”
Mental health is a key aspect of their approach, with CAP keen to tackle isolation and offer emotional support alongside financial guidance.
Weekly drop-in sessions at the Hope Centre, held every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm, provide a space for connection and community support.
“We are so conscious of people feeling isolated,” Redding said. “It’s about connecting people and letting them know they’re not alone. When we help people out of debt, we also give them hope so they can draw a line under their struggles and rebuild.”
Tackling stigma and breaking barriers
The stigma tied to seeking help for debt is something CAP aims to overcome.
Charlotte encouraged anyone struggling to reach out, noting that financial difficulties can happen to anyone.
“Don’t suffer silently. There is always help out there,” she said. “This is not something to be ashamed of. Sometimes we just need a helping hand, and that’s okay.”
CAP’s message is simple: financial difficulties are not insurmountable, and there is hope through connection, practical steps, and community support.
The organisation is based at St Paul's Church in Salisbury, St James' Church in Devizes and at Trinity in Chippenham.