New debt awareness and signposting resource

 

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From: Archbishop's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Saving

To: pcaninfo@gmail.com

Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 9:28 AM

Subject: New debt awareness and signposting resource

Archbishop's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings View this email in your browser MAY 2015 News from the Archbishop of Canterbury's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings In this latest update we introduce a new workshop resource for church staff and volunteers to raise awareness of free debt advice and to signpost people to local and national services. As well as new stories and content from TOYOURCREDIT. New resource! Many people struggling with problem debt do not know about the free advice and support available to them: from face-to-face advice through to online self-help. By signposting to advice services, church staff and volunteers can be a vital link between someone in debt and the help they need. 'Guiding people to free debt advice: a debt awareness and signposting workshop' is a 2 hour video-based workshop developed in partnership with the Money Advice Trust. This resource is designed for staff and volunteers from churches and church-linked groups, including clergy, pastoral assistants, children and family workers, food bank volunteers, and others involved in community projects. The workshop looks at: ● The causes of debt problems ● Identifying when someone needs debt advice ● Responding appropriately when someone tells you they're in debt ● The types of advice available and how these can be accessed ● How to help someone prepare for debt advice   For more information and to order/download 'Guiding people to free debt advice: a debt awareness and signposting workshop': www.toyourcredit.org.uk/debt-aware 'Debt is a national disease: the Church can stand up and be counted' read Bruce Connell's blog on the impact of debt advice. Church Credit Champions Network First Anniversary The Church Credit Champions Network has just celebrated its first birthday, making it a good time to assess the progress it has made so far in London and Merseyside.  In terms of headline figures, the Network is well on track to meet its main targets after a year. Over 200 churches have been engaged, with 119 clergy and lay leaders trained as 'Credit Champions' and over 600 people joining their local credit union as a result of the Network's activity. It's likely that all of these numbers will continue to rise as the Network progresses, particularly in Merseyside where the local Co-ordinator has only been in place for a few months. Read more about the stories behind the statistics   The Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Revd Paul Bayes joined his local credit union at the launch of the Church Credit Champions Network in Liverpool and Merseyside: Bishop Paul spoke at the event: "We need churches to champion a fresh moral vision in the practice of credit. Liverpool is leading the way in being an alternative, supporting credit unions and most importantly helping those in need."   There's more new content on the TOYOURCREDIT website including: A blog post from Christian's Against Poverty about their unique debt advice service partnering with local churches and making a difference in people's lives: "Debt problems seem huge but experience tells us they can be overcome through Christians Against Poverty's financial expertise partnered with the care of the local church."  The story of how the oldest church in the City of London is promoting the work and benefits of credit unions in the nation's financial centre.   Facebook Twitter Website Copyright © 2015 Archbishop's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in TOYOURCREDIT and related initiatives. Our mailing address is: Archbishop's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings Archbishops' Council, Church House Great Smith Street London, London SW1P 3AZ United Kingdom Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences