The Hidden Crisis: mounting debts leaving people in Penrith
isolated and fearful
A debt advice charity has said on average people in the local
area who are turning to the local branch of national charity CAP for debt help
owe over £11,900. The Eden debt coach for debt advice charity, Christians
Against Poverty says they are determined to help more local people improve
their financial situations
Ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15 June), debt advice
charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is releasing a new report, revealing
the devastating impact debt and poverty is having on people.
A crisis of isolation and fear is gripping people struggling
with debt and poverty across the UK, according to the new report, No Time to
Lose. It looks at the experiences of CAP's clients, and reveals a stark picture
where debt is forcing people into hiding, with a staggering 85% feeling
isolated, and more than half (52%) admitting they were afraid to leave their
homes.
CAP's new report also highlights that many local households
across the region face a debt crisis. New CAP clients in the North West on
average owed over £11,900*. They had organisations chasing them for payments on
12 different debts, with 41% of their arrears for priority debts, often for
essential bills like Council Tax, rent arrears, gas and electricity.
This comes alongside CAP's latest polling with Opinium**,
which reveals that over 11.2 million UK adults are suffering with loneliness
(21%), with 11.1 million (20%) living alone. Importantly, over 4.6 million (8%)
report not having a support network.
In the Eden area CAP partners with Churches Together to
offer free debt advice to local people, and CAP's Eden area, Centre Manager,
Jen Dixon says that isolation and fear are preventing people from seeking help,
leading to their debts spiralling out of control.
Jen said: "The financial pressures people face often go
unseen, and as many are afraid to ask for help, they can isolate themselves
from family and friends. CAP's latest report highlights that low income and
struggles with mental health are the two biggest reasons our clients are
finding themselves in a debt crisis. Many people live on ridiculously low
incomes, and when faced with increasing costs and other financial challenges
they can become trapped in a vicious cycle of uncontrollable debt, leaving them
to feel ashamed and alone – only worsening their fear and anxieties."
Findings from No Time to Lose highlight the extent of the
constant state of anxiety that many of the people coming to CAP for help report
feeling:
● 78% fear
answering the phone
● 82% are worried
about opening the post
● 62% are
frightened about a knock at the door
● 58% suffered
from poor mental health
CAP client and mum of three, Jolene, faced the raw isolation
of a financial collapse when her working hours were slashed at the same time as
she became liable for additional debts: "I'd worked hard to get where I
was, and I'd put myself through qualifications so I'd be in a good financial
position.
"But my ex-partner left, which meant not only was I now
responsible for paying back all the bills, but I was stuck paying off his debts
as well. I didn't sleep properly because my head was permanently calculating,
worrying about where the next meal's going to come from. It was a really
depressing time."
Jolene finally reached out to Christians Against Poverty:
"That community has literally saved me, it's given me and my family hope
for the future. What churches working with CAP do is provide a life-changing
experience, but it's not just the initial support and getting people out of
debt: it's that life-long support and guidance that they give you."
Jen continued: "Many people struggling with debt are
forced into isolation because of fear and worry about their situation.
Thankfully, we're able to meet clients face-to-face and provide in-depth,
bespoke support. We're determined to help more people in the Eden area who are
struggling financially, and so we urge those who need support to get in
touch – please don't suffer alone."
You can find more information on all of CAP's free services
in your area on CAP's website at capuk.org, which includes access to an article
on loneliness and some helpful tips and hints on how to manage your money.
You can contact the local CAP centre in Penrith by emailing
jendixon@capuk.org or calling 07799271710 or call CAP free on 0800 328 0006
The Eden CAP centre is open:
Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 5pm
Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm
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