Latest news

Our very own Daniel Kelly from CAP’s External Affairs department found himself on national TV this week. CAP is one of seven charities asking together for bailiff reform in a campaign called Taking Control. Find out more about the campaign - and add your experience - on baliffreform.org.

Watch Daniel in action on BBC Breakfast News:

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be making some changes to our website. We’re going to try and keep any down time to a minimum, but hopefully you’ll notice some improvements once we’re done!

Here’s some of the stuff we’ve been working on:

1. We’re making it easier to see the difference your support is making through CAP with a new section called Our impact - here you’ll find all the stories of lives changed and hear what others in industry, politics and public life are saying about us.
2. The site will make better use of large screens, and be easier to navigate on mobile devices.
3. Later in March we’re extending our search pages to include CAP Life Skills - our newest service, providing valuable support and skills for those living on a low income.

Our site is a pretty big one so if you come across a page that doesn't look quite right, please bear with us as we may still be working on it!

If web design is your thing, here's something that may be right up your street - we’re looking for a Front End Web Designer and Developer to join our creative team at CAP HQ! To find out more, click here.

CAP is joining forces with the UK's largest provider of foodbanks, The Trussell Trust, to bring sustained help to people in crisis.

The Trussell Trust already works with debt advice agency Community Money Advice (CMA), and this agreement with CAP provides further opportunity to seek long-term solutions for families. This means foodbanks in a range of communities, serving people with a range of needs, can offer even more help to get people out of crisis.

Debt and low income are among the most common causes of hunger in the UK, according to The Trussell Trust. Around one in twelve referrals are due to debt, but this does not take into account debts arising as a result of benefits issues, which continue to be the most likely reason a person is referred to a Trussell Trust foodbank.

A CAP survey of 1,200 debt clients showed 93% were able to feed their family following debt counselling advice from the charity, a fact that shows long-term support can make a lasting difference.

Adrian Curtis, Foodbank Network Director for The Trussell Trust said, 'We know that thousands of families are going hungry every year because of issues like debt - that’s why foodbanks in our network offer support beyond emergency food, signposting to local agencies to help people tackle the roots of their crisis. We know that people who visit foodbanks often have a range of complex needs and we’re delighted to now be formally linked with CAP, as well as CMA, to ensure these most vulnerable people get the invaluable support these charities can offer. This new agreement means it will be even more easy for people with debt, unemployment, or budgeting problems to find a more positive future.”

Matt Barlow, Chief Executive of CAP said, 'Every person crippled by grinding poverty deserves us to be working together to find solutions and that is why today marks a huge step forward for the most vulnerable in the UK. Many of our partner churches are already helping their communities by running a Trussell Trust foodbank alongside a CAP centre so there’s a natural crossover and makes total sense for our organisations to now be formally linked.

'We are looking forward to seeing foodbanks and CAP centres around the UK working together to provide hope and solutions to help people stay out of crisis.'

The latest episode of Songs of Praise, 'Escaping debt', aired on BBC One on Sunday 8 January and featured a couple from Kent, Naomi and Perry, who told the story of how debt turned their world upside down.

Several years ago, Naomi and Perry found themselves struggling to pay the bills on their low income. Perry was working several part-time jobs but was unable to find permanent employment, and the money they had coming in simply wasn’t enough. They could afford very little food, just managing to scrape together enough to feed themselves and their baby.

Having turned to credit cards, store cards and loan sharks to try and stay above water, Naomi and Perry found themselves with around £20,000 in debt. The family was in turmoil, arguing and rarely leaving the house. They felt alone and isolated, with seemingly no end in sight.

Once Naomi and Perry got in touch with CAP, the pressure on their shoulders began to lessen and they could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. They were stunned by the love and care they received from their local CAP Debt Coach and the caseworkers at CAP's head office. Through working with CAP they learned how to budget and better manage their money, and in 2013 they went debt free through a Debt Relief Order!

Now their lives are completely different – they focus more on saving rather than relying on credit and their house is generally a happier place to live. They regularly attend church and Naomi has even taken on the challenge of leading the worship group!

Does Naomi and Perry’s story sound all too familiar to you? If you need our help to sort out your debts, just click here or call us on 0800 328 0006. It’s free to call and our service is available to everyone, regardless of age, gender, faith and background.

CAP has over 600 services across the UK currently, but there are still many areas which aren’t covered and people we are simply unable to reach. We need more churches to open CAP services to ensure we can help everyone who needs it – by 2021, we hope to have 1,000 UK services open! So if you think your church could partner with CAP, help the poor in your local community, and join a movement that's actively fighting poverty across the UK, then click right here to find out more.

CAP features on a money special of BBC One's Songs of Praise broadcast this coming Sunday, 8 January. The episode sees hosts Josie D'Arby and Claire McCollum meeting people whose faith has helped them to get through the turmoil caused by debt.

One such couple are the incredible Naomi and Perry, former CAP clients from Kent whose lives were turned upside down when they fell into debt several years ago.

Songs of Praise airs at 1:15pm on BBC One - set a reminder, spread the word to your friends and family, and tune in!