A CHURCH-BASED charity is celebrating three years of rescuing local people from personal debt – a free service that those involved say is literally saving lives.

In May 2014, members of Highworth Churches Together decided they wanted to do more to help the local community and partnered with UK debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty to open a local branch.

CAP already had a Swindon office, but the the manager there had found he was spending a disproportionate amount of time visiting people in Highworth.

It wasn’t that people in Highworth were more prone to struggling with debt that those elsewhere in the area, but the churches had done a good job in promoting the service and assistance that CAP could offer.

When the teams at those same churches decided to step forward and open a local centre, they could not have imagined the impact they would have.

In the three years that have followed, the Highworth CAP team has helped more than 60 families and individuals by offering a free, face-to-face and caring service.

It aims to provide both hope and a realistic solution for those facing the daunting challenge of overcoming debt.

Centre manager Kathryn Ford said: “We have been in 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.

“Relationships come under a lot of stress and people worry about keeping their home and providing for their families.

“However, we’ve also seen that however terrible something appears, there is always a solution.

“The benefit of the way CAP works is that it is really thorough, taking someone step by step to becoming debt free.”

Common reasons for debt include low income, relationship breakdown, joblessness, problems with benefits, illness or bereavement.

Trained debt counsellors work with those in need to figure out a realistic budget that prioritises essential bills.

They negotiate affordable payments with each creditor and attempt to stop unfair interest and charges where possible.

Although CAP is founded in the Christian faith and originated out of a church-based organisation, its service is available to everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background.

To find out more visit www.capuk.org or telephone 0800 328 0006.