A FREE local debt advice service held a party at Whitehaven RLFC on Saturday to celebrate a decade of helping hundreds of Whitehaven people and their families sort out their finances.

St John’s Church, Hensingham, together with five other local churches, launched the centre in partnership with UK charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in 2013.

While it celebrates 10 years of free debt help this year, the team at the church has no plans to stop, as the need for its services continues and grows.

The event on Saturday was hosted by Whitehaven’s Rugby League Club and saw CAP volunteers from all over the town gather together with Copeland partner organisations as well as clients that the charity have helped, all determined to have a great time recognizing the work that the charity has done in Whitehaven and Copeland over the past decade.

Tommy Johnstone and Rachal Hudson from the club worked tirelessly to ensure that the event ran smoothly and three members of the team were on hand to help the many children who’d come along work on their kicking skills. 

Around 200 people through the day enjoyed a mix of live music, a cake-off competition, an auction as well as a BBQ out in the sunshine.

Jonathan Berry, Whitehaven’s debt centre manager, who runs the centre with debt coach, Mel Turner, said: “It’s been a brilliant way to celebrate ten years of life-changing work in this town. I was delighted to see so many people, who’ve been involved in that work over the years, join in and have a day of fun, food and chat.

“During the last decade, we have been privileged to see over 500 people helped with unmanageable debt, hope restored, family relationships saved and even lives saved from suicide.

“There are still many more people to help though, so while we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate each and every person who has made it to the other side of debt, we want everyone else who may still be struggling to know that we are here to help them completely free of charge too.

"We have had great take-up on our CAP Money courses, too, which help people to budget and manage their household finances.”

The Whitehaven centre has been supported over the past decade with grants from many sources such as Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Community Foundation, the Cumberland Building Society, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Francis C. Scott Charitable Trust.

The centre also works closely with many local services, to provide a joined-up support for the community: Skills4You, Women Out West, Job Centre Plus, Home Group, FareShare and Foodbank are a few of those many organisations.

In addition to the Whitehaven centre, there are CAP centres across Cumbria and in most corners of the UK.

If you are struggling with debt and need help, get in contact with CAP today on 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org.