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CAP Life Skills

Two young women are sat together at a table, both looking at a document that is on the table.

I learned about budgeting and changed my habits and, because I’m spending differently now, I save so much money. Last year I was actually able to go on holiday with my kids. 

Jenny, Life Skills member 
Learn practical tools to help you live well on a low income every day. 

CAP Life Skills is a friendly group that will give you the confidence and decision-making skills needed to live on a low income. You’ll learn practical money saving techniques, such as cooking on a budget and making money go further.

Find your local CAP Life Skills

What to expect from the group

We know that when it comes to saving money and making lifestyle changes, there’s so much we can learn from each other. Everyone finds dealing with the pressures of life a stressful and lonely challenge at times. That’s why CAP Life Skills is designed to be a fun and relaxed place where you’ll meet other people in similar situations, who understand you and can encourage you.

CAP Life Skills is an eight-session course to help you navigate life on a low income. We’ll also give you top tips for dealing with life’s pressures and helping you take control of your future. These sessions happen in a relaxed environment with a mixture of practical activities and informal discussions.

Knowing exactly where your money is coming from and where it’s going each month can be a challenge. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from informal one-to-one support from a trained CAP Life Skills Coach, who will help you to think through your spending choices and work towards creating a simple budget. This will help you gain better control over your money and lighten the pressures money can bring.

Jenny’s story

Hear how life changed for the better for Jenny after attending CAP Life Skills.

My abuser went for me, and I realised what I had gotten myself into. I thought I was done and dusted. I was worried about the kids, you know, what’s gonna happen? ​‘Cause I had three children to him. We went into a refuge for months. But then even when I came out, he carried on with the abuse. And the physical abuse you heal from, but you still know the threat’s there, and you’re scared of them.

I felt useless, worthless, unlovable. I felt just worn out and drained. I had lost my whole identity because when I was with my ex, I wasn’t allowed friends, and I wasn’t allowed a social life or nothing. Obviously, suicide comes through your mind. It’s just horrible, horrible. Basically, in the end, I couldn’t take it. I had a nervous breakdown

My neighbour just said, ​“Are you okay?” when I was going to the shop, and I just broke down crying. I went to the doctors and I got pointed towards the Life Skills Group. I thought I’ll give it a go. And it was down at our local church, the New Brighton Baptist Church. And at first, I was thinking, ​“oh, they might be a bit, I don’t know, judgmental.” But they were far from it. Just, all’s I’ve had from all of them, is, support, and encouragement, and practical help, left, right, and centre, and friendship. It is, it’s amazing. It actually does make you think about your finances and cooking, and we’ve planted things, like our own tomato plants, and they’re teaching all sorts of really good stuff. You know, I’ve got a lot more confidence, I go more places, I don’t worry so much, and I have actually got a social life now, an extended family. If they say I can’t go, I’m gonna volunteer to help.

I was getting invited to CAP events. I went to the one at the New Brighton Baptist, with Sandra there and Moira. When I felt the love of God and the peace, you know, fill my heart, that was just incredible. That’ll last me a lifetime. And so I said the prayer without hesitation, and it’s filled a hole in my heart that nobody else could fill.

Day-to-day life for me now is so much better. You know, I’ve got friends to go and see. I’ve got places to go. I love taking photographs, photography, painting, writing poetry, going to church. Just enjoying my life, actually enjoying life. It was like almost as if everything was black and white, and now it’s in Technicolour. It is absolute transformation.

Forgive me, Lord, I went astray, But even so, you heard me pray. You sent me friends that guided me, And now I’ve found my family tree. Your roots so strong and branches tall, I know, my Lord, you’re there for all. I’m just a leaf upon your tree, But now I know your love for me. Oh Lord, you are a mighty tree.

Questions

Life Skills is an eight-week group that will equip you with tools such as how to eat well on a budget, and how to make your money go further. You’ll meet with a group of like minded people and learn practical skills from our trained coaches – and have some fun along the way!

Absolutely nothing – our Life Skills courses are completely free.

Not at all – our services are for everyone. We’re a charity that is passionate about helping people from all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and faiths.

If you think a Life Skills could be perfect for a loved one, use our postcode search to find your local Life Skills group. If there is one nearby, your loved one will need to get in touch themselves.

Use our postcode search to find your local Life Skills group

Go to the postcode search 
Group of men and women sat around a table holding cups of coffee and looking at workbook leaflets.

Find your local CAP Life Skills

Useful links 

Get help near you 

If you’re looking for help, whether that’s help to get out of debt, find a job or gain vital life skills, Christians Against Poverty provides a range of free professional services across the UK through local churches.