This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 15 May 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
A FREE debt counselling service is celebrating helping over 150 Oxfordshire people to manage their debts since it opened three years ago. In June 2014 six Oxford churches decided to partner with UK charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to set up a debt centre in the city, because they were concerned about the levels of deprivation they saw in the community.
Since then they have helped 155 people in the area.
Jill Ewbank, Oxford CAP Debt Centre manager, said: "We have been into a lot of homes during these three years and learned about some very sad situations.
Debt can be so destructive, making people feel so desperate, scared to go out or even open the curtains. "She added that she and her volunteers visit every client in their home, collecting their paperwork, giving them the privacy and dignity that they need.
Meanwhile, specialist teams at CAP head office negotiate with creditors and create a workable budget enabling each person to go debt free. Jill Ewbank said: "There are loads of reasons why people end up in debt.
More commonly it's low inco me, relationship breakdown, joblessness, illness or bereavement.
A lot of the time these things strike without warning or when you are most vulnerable.
She said that CAP's services are available to everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background. To find out more call 0800 328 0006.