A landmark report from Christians Against Poverty - an organisation which partners with local churches including Ross Baptist Church - to offer free debt advice, job clubs, money coaching and a range of other help to support people out of debt and poverty, has revealed that families in the West Midlands coming to the charity for help face an 11 year battle to clear their debts as costs continue to rise.

Wye Valley CAP Debt Centre Manager, Elaine Loe, says: “It’s become much more difficult for families to repay their debts over the last decade with only a quarter of CAP clients now able to do so in a suitable time, compared to 40 per cent back in 2014.

“Living in spiralling debt is dangerous. It often results in families unable to afford healthy food, living in cold, damp unsafe properties and facing isolation, anxiety and depression.

“But we know poverty can be beaten. By walking alongside people through their toughest storms, churches working with Christians Against Poverty are restoring hope and building the long-term financial resilience our region needs.

“To tackle poverty in Ross and the surrounding villages it will take more people to get involved – we can all contribute and make a difference. Please consider joining us and supporting our work so we can stop poverty in Ross together.”

People who would like to support this work to help local people can email Elaine at [email protected].

CAP is a movement of over 30,000 people standing together so that no one in the West Midlands has to face debt and poverty alone. Find out more at capuk.org/get-involved

If you’re struggling with your finances, you can find out more about the services CAP offers in your area by visiting capuk.org/help or calling 0800 328 0006.