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Christians Against Poverty (CAP) provides free debt help and local community groups across the UK. These free services provide practical and emotional support to show people that there is always hope.
CAP operates through local churches and the Glasgow West CAP Centre is run by West Glasgow New Church in co-operation with other churches across the area.
The Scottish Government recognises CAP as one of its trusted partners in addressing debt issues.
Below you will find out more about the services available in the Glasgow West CAP Centre.
Lena Maria Concert
Our previous newsletter advertised a CAP concert by a remarkable lady. Born with no arms and one fully functioning leg, Lena Maria learned to use her feet in most remarkable ways. In time she became an paralympic athlete and then a professional singer and artist. In her visit to Glasgow she opened and displayed some of her work at the West Glasgow New Church Art Exhibition and in the concert she gave beautiful renditions of popular songs. She also told the fascinating story of her life and the central importance of her strong Christian faith. We hope Lena Maria will be able to visit us again before too long.
Meeting David Linden MP
On June 30th, the CAP Centre was visited by David Linden, the Westminster MP for Glasgow East. David’s main policy interests focus on social security, housing, immigration, and poverty. He is the SNP’s Social Justice spokesperson in Westminster, a member of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty at Westminster. David is very supportive of the work of the CAP and he was very interested to hear from different members of the team about current activities and issues. It was particularly good that some CAP clients and some members of the Centre Advisory Group were able to join in the open-ended discussion.
Tell us a little about yourself, Janis. My name is Janis Forbes. I’m retired, married to Graham and we have two grown-up children. I’m a Christian and a member of West Glasgow New Church. Ayr is my hometown but I’ve lived in the Glasgow area since we got married.
How did you hear about CAP? Someone came along to Church a few years ago to tell us about CAP and I thought right away that it sounded a really worthwhile work.
Why did you decide to volunteer? I guess the timing was right for me. I’d not long retired when the debt centre at Summerfield opened and I didn’t want to be sitting in the house all day!
What has been your involvement so far? First of all I was part of a community links team whose aim was to let people in the local area know about the CAP service. More recently, I’ve also become a befriender – so I go on visits with a debt coach and aim to be supportive to clients as they go through the process.
Are there any difficult bits? Yes, sometimes people aren’t in when you arrive and that’s a little bit frustrating. Sometimes it’s difficult hearing what clients have been through.
Chris McCrossan Debt Coach
Chris lives in Auchterarder where he is already involved with CAP as a debt coach. With the large need in Glasgow, Chris has very generously offered to help in the Glasgow West Centre too, so he will be working with us for one day a week.
Welcome, Chris!
Debt Help
If you are experiencing difficulty with debt, we can help.
Our service is free and confidential, with advice and support from CAP professionals. Please call the helpline: 0800 328 0006.
A general description of the services CAP can offer is available here.
Where are we?
The CAP Glasgow West Debt Centre is based at the Summerfield Centre in Whiteinch.
The Summerfield Centre is not always open, so please visit by appointment only.
Feel free to contact Maureen Burke on 07577 009020 (Wednesday – Friday).
The Scottish Government has recognised CAP as one of its trusted partners in addressing debt issues.
Find out more about dealing with debt at Money Support Scotland.
CAP Money Course
The CAP money management course teaches you budgeting skills and will help you control your finances. It is delivered by a trained CAP Money Coach but a large part of the course is given over to discussion and interaction. Everyone is welcome to contribute from their own experience.
The CAP Money Course is entirely free.
To find out more and to book your place, contact the Centre Manager, Maureen Burke, on 07577 009020 or email glasgowwest@capuk.org.