FAMILIES and people struggling with their finances are being offered a lifeline of support in the form of a new debt counselling service in Worcester.

National charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is set to open its first centre in the city this weekend and it comes at a time when many people are faced with crippling levels of debt as well as rising unemployment.

We reported last month how alarming figures show that more than four times as many people are declaring themselves bankrupt in Worcestershire when compared with figures a decade ago, while the average person in Worcester seeking help with their debts totalling about £19,000 on credit cards, personal loans and other kinds of unsecured debt had only £17 left over each month after meeting their basic living expenses.

Worcester CAP, run in partnership with All Saints Church in Deansway, will be managed by city couple Ted and Ginny Duckett who felt inspired to set up the centre after being impressed by the charity’s work elsewhere in the country.

Mr Duckett, who along with his wife has received specialist training from CAP, said: “We were so impressed with the way it worked and could see how relevant it could be for the growing number of people struggling with debt in our city. We felt called by God to seek to establish a centre in Worcester.”

The couple are set to start accepting referrals made through the charity’s national helpline and a special service to celebrate the launch of Worcester CAP is being held at All Saints Church, of which Mr and Mrs Duckett are long-standing members, at 10.30am on Sunday.

Mr Duckett said Worcester CAP would reinforce the debt counselling support already offered by city organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Two Pennies Money Advice.

Reverend Rich Johnson, vicar of All Saints Church, said the establishment of Worcester CAP was a vital part of the church’s vision of supporting the most vulnerable people in the city, in partnership with other churches and Christian groups.

CAP already has nearly 200 centres across the UK and since being established in Bradford 15 years ago the charity has helped more than 30,000 people pay off their debts.

It saves an average of 50 households from eviction or repossession every month.

The Christian charity’s free support operates through a combination of budgeting advice, creditor liaison and personal support throughout the time it takes individuals to become debt-free.

About 88 per cent of the charity’s clients are able to pay every bill and debt repayment on time.

Anyone who would like to find out more about how Worcester CAP can help them should call the national freephone number on 0800 3280006 or visit capuk.org/gethelp.