A free service established in Darlington to support people struggling with debt is continuing to go from strength-to-strength.
The Darlington CAP Debt Centre (DDC) was set up by St Andrew’s Church, Haughton-le-Skerne during the coronavirus pandemic in July 2020, for people living within the postcode areas DL1 to DL5.
It is attached to the national charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), which partners with local churches to deliver help, support and expert advice to those who are struggling with debt.
The DDC also seeks to share the love of God through practical action, befriending, and people talking personally about the Christian faith.
The centre, which continues to be overseen by St Andrew’s, employs a trained part-time Manager, Cyndi Hughes, who is assisted by volunteers from various churches across Darlington.
Nationally, CAP constructively lobbies the Government to ensure that poverty and the issues surrounding it are kept high on ministers’ to-do lists.
Locally, Cyndi is busy with new referrals and existing clients. Currently, she is working with nine active cases involving 11 adults and 11 children. Recently five clients have gone debt-free and another is on a CAP repayment plan.
In a newly-published report to update on the progress of the DDC, Cyndi said: “People who contact CAP for help have often been struggling with debt, and the guilt and shame associated with it, for an extended period of time. They are often facing multiple additional problems such as ill-health, depression, unemployment, disability, relational problems and lone parenting.”
Cyndi works hard to raise awareness of the CAP’s work and has visited local churches, foodbanks, food clubs and community cafes, while the DDC also had a stall at the recent Darlington Community Carnival.
Cyndi has also met with people from local NHS Foundation Trusts, the Job Centre, Darlington Connect, Citizens Advice Bureau, First Stop and Darlington Credit Union. She continues to receive referrals from NHS Health Coaches and social prescribers.
Volunteers from local churches play a key role. They assist Cyndi on visits to clients, where they have encountered issues including self-neglect, hoarding, and gambling.
“The volunteers provide much needed kindness, conversation and, if welcomed, prayer,” explained Cyndi. “Currently there are eight volunteers from five local churches of four different denominations. All volunteers are trained and comply with safeguarding requirements. A regular monthly meeting to pray for all aspects of the work and those involved is held at St Andrew’s Church.”
The centre relies on funding given by charitable trusts and local businesses, regular and one-off donations given by local churches and individuals, as well as some fundraising activity.
Ballinger Charitable Trust continues to offer very generous support, while the centre has received a grant from the NHS Waiting Well Pilot Scheme. Regular donations from Darlington Baptist Church are also greatly appreciated. Other initiatives have included a fundraising concert, which took place last October.
Rector at St Andrew’s, the Revd Mark East said: “We at St. Andrew's continue to be grateful for the support our CAP Debt Centre receives from so many. Cyndi's work and that of our enthusiastic and committed volunteers is making a positive difference to local people and families suffering under the weight of unmanageable debt.
“We ask that you pray for the work of CAP and especially that the seed of hope can be sown in the lives of those with whom our work is having an impact.”
Caption 1 (cover photo) The Revd Mark East and Cyndi Hughes are pictured with Jane Teague (of St Andrew’s Church), and Andrew Ballinger and John Flynn (Trustees from the Ballinger Charitable Trust).
Caption 2 (right) Cyndi Hughes with the Revd Mark East