Christians Against Poverty

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a Christian charitable company in the United Kingdom founded in Bradford, West Yorkshire by John Kirkby in 1996. It is a national organisation specialising in debt counselling for people in financial difficulty. It also provides job clubs for those seeking employment, life skills groups to help people with live well on a low income, and money coaching workshops to equip people with essential budgeting skills.

In December 2011, Christians Against Poverty were granted their own Group Licence by the Office of Fair Trading alongside other leading debt counselling bodies, such as Citizens Advice and Advice UK. The Financial Conduct Authority, which replaced the Office of Fair Trading in 2014, gave Christians Against Poverty full authorisation in 2017.

Stewart McCulloch is the current Chief Executive Officer, and joined CAP in January 2024.

CAP also has independently operated affiliates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Services

Christians Against Poverty offers several different services. Since the organisation was founded in 1996, it has been best known for offering free debt counselling. The organisation works through a network of regional offices that exist in partnership with a local Christian church. Individuals seeking the assistance of the charity give authority to the charity to negotiate with creditors, and the charity will then organise the individual's finances with the objective of making them debt free. The debt advisor will create a personal budget for clients, prioritising basic living needs and offering creditors fair and affordable pro-rata payments whenever possible.

In 2013, CAP launched job clubs, a service targeted at the unemployed. In 2015, CAP launches life skills groups, teaching practical skills to survive life on a low income.

CAP also runs money coaching workshops, previously known as the 'CAP Money Course' to teach budgeting skills. The course exists in a number of variations, tailored to young people, students and adults.

In 2024, CAP created free budgeting resources for kids and youth to help teach children money management skills.

Policy work

As well as providing debt advice and money coaching services, CAP’s Policy and Research team gathers evidence and research, undertakes consultations and publishes reports to help decision-makers develop and shape policy. The team also campaigns and petitions, attends events and roundtables, and advocates for people in debt and on low incomes. CAP advocates for structural changes to legislation, impacting on the quality of life of those living on a low income.

Recognition

The charity has won a number of awards, including "Debt Advice Provider of the Year" at the 2015 Collections and Customer Service Awards, the "Martin Williams Award for Contribution to the Credit Industry" at the 2014 Credit Today Awards, as well as Charity Times Awards' "Best Charity to Work For" in 2006 and 2007. CAP came top in "the UK's Best Small Company to Work For" in the Sunday Times' Best Companies list on its debut in 2008, and topped the list again in 2009. CAP's founder, John Kirkby, received a CBE in 2018 for his services.

In October 2018, CAP was featured in the BBC Two documentary ''The Debt Saviours.''

Funding

CAP is funded by donations from individuals, churches, charities and trusts. CAP also operates a Fair Share scheme, whereby banks and other financial organisations donate to CAP an average of 10% of the value of repayments made to them by CAP clients.

Mission and values

CAP’s mission is to release people across the UK from poverty, to enable churches to help end poverty through their communities, and to encourage people to live with faith, actively served by their church.

Their values include:

* Christ-centred. CAP share the gospel and are guided by his teaching, demonstrating compassion, faith and integrity with those they serve.
* Collaborative. CAP are collaborative, delivering services in mutual relationship with the UK Church, and partner with individuals, groups and people of influence to reach their vision.
* Compassionate. CAP is driven for justice and mercy, showing empathy and care for those they serve, their partners, supporters and each other.
* Joyful. CAP don’t ignore or minimise challenging circumstances, but intentionally focus on God's goodness amidst them, remaining thankful through the difficult and rewarding journey of serving people who experience poverty.
* Bold. CAP speak truth to power, challenge the injustices that drive poverty, inspire others to take action, offer prayer and choose Christ-like actions.

International

CAP expanded into Australia in 2000, New Zealand in 2008, and Canada in 2013. CAP America, based in the Chicago area, was launched in 2019. The international affiliates are each separate and independent charities, but work on the same principles.

References

External links

CAP UKCAP AustraliaCAP New ZealandCAP CanadaCAP America

{{Authority control

Christian charities based in the United Kingdom
Charities based in West Yorkshire
Organisations based in Bradford
Debt
Advice organizations
Poverty-related organizations
Poverty and religion