CHOOSING BETWEEN HEATING, EATING OR MEETING BILLS

Choosing Between Heating, Eating or Meeting Bills The number of people Crosslight has helped in the last 12 months.

Choosing BETWEEN heating, eating or meeting bills

As more than 7 million low-income households are forced to choose between food and other essentials*, the rising cost of living is bringing many to crisis point. Bruce Connell, CEO of Crosslight Advice, explains what we can do to help.

Bruce Connell, CEO of Crosslight Advice It is a humbling experience to see someone cry. Particularly when the person in tears is someone you’ve only just met! Sadly, it’s a situation our volunteers often find themselves in. Of course, there are lots of reasons behind the tears, but all too often right now, they come from a sense of hopelessness. For many, the current cost-of-living crisis is immediate, and profound. Many in our communities are facing impossible choices just to get by. Food costs are increasing for everyone, but we’ve seen recently that the price of low-cost basics is increasing the most. Half of all those seeking our help tell us that they have had to cut down or go without food in the weeks leading up to their appointment. And of course it’s not just food. The levels of so-called ‘self-disconnection’ – having no gas or electricity because you can’t afford to top up your meter – are on the rise. And with interest rates rising, and warnings of an impending deep recession, it can be easy to feel that ‘hope’ is in short supply. As someone said recently, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off to save money! But ‘hope’ is what the Church does best! And whilst we don’t have all the answers, there are still things we can do.

Crosslight supports some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in society through person-centred, holistic programmes providing debt & benefit advice, money skills, and budget coaching. crosslightadvice.org

Those we support often talk about their advisers becoming like ‘family’. Time and again, the occasions when we’re able to see lives changed are the occasions when we’ve been able to walk alongside someone to support, encourage, and be present with them on their journey. And that’s something every church can do.

Getting practical

Many churches are leading the way by providing practical support such as foodbanks or community hubs. But even if you have limited resources, there are still things you can do. You will know best what’s needed most in your own community – the important thing is to act! If you need resources, Crosslight runs a ‘Financial First Aid’ workshop which will equip you to support others. And our money skills and cost of living programmes are available to anyone – themoneycourse.org.

Knowing where to go

Do you know what to do when someone tells you they have fallen into debt, or are at risk of being evicted? Moneyhelper.org.uk has useful guides, including a tool to find free debt advice near you. And if help is sought, is there someone from your church who would be able to support that individual on their journey, maybe even going with them to their first appointment?

Speaking out

Churches are often uniquely placed to see what is occurring in their communities. Not everyone will agree with me, but I believe we have an obligation to raise awareness – particularly with our local councillors and MPs – about what we see. The current situation needs us all to play our part, but it needs political action too. Times are undoubtedly tough, but churches, now more than ever, can be beacons of light. My hope is that when those in need come into our churches, perhaps for the first time, and experience love through the practical, down-toearth support we provide in this time of challenge, they might get to glimpse something of the image of God!

* From the Joseph Rowntree Foundation briefing “Not heating, eating or meeting bills” June 2022. Reviving Communities

How The Church is Caring for Those Trapped in Debt How the Church is CARING for those trapped in debt

FREEDOM FROM DEBT St Matt’s, Exeter

“Having lived with debt for over 20 years, and the constant battle to make repayments whilst bringing up two young children as a single parent, I had reached a point where I couldn’t see how to get out of debt and had started to believe it was something I would live with for the rest of my life. I couldn’t understand how I could pay my monthly outgoings, eat well, repay my debts and put money aside for birthdays and Christmas etc. And so, I attended my church’s CAP Money course, which provided some really meaningful insight into how to manage your money and set me on a path to financial freedom. 16 months on…. I am proud to say I am now debt free.”

Support recipient

WRAP AROUND CARE Hope Church, Hounslow

“A woman came into foodbank and sat quietly looking like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. I went to serve her and asked if she was okay. She explained that she was at the foodbank as her husband wouldn’t give her any money to feed her two children; he was also abusive.

One of the things that she highlighted was financially she had no help and was in debt. We called Crosslight together and made her an appointment so she could get some help. A month later, she came back to collect some food and said that she had talked to Crosslight and they had supported her a lot. Her husband had since moved out. She was a different person.”

Volunteer at Hope Church Foodbank

I'M SO GRATEFUL LOVECHURCH, Bournemouth

“I can’t thank you enough for how much you really have helped me these past few months. Before calling CAP, I was in debt that had got to the point where I could now no longer afford to pay them off. I found CAP at church one Sunday and I was impressed how sincere they were, so I called them. Now, my debt relief order application has just been approved and I have a weight off my shoulders. When the news of being debt-free came, I knew that this feeling of being free wasn't only about money but more about God's love in action through how good the team were. The restorative effect of the CAP debt relief process was in fact revelatory, restoring especially my faith in my Christian brothers and sisters and releasing me to, in turn, cautiously trust again.”

Support recipient

SOUL Church, Norwich LYN food hub

SOUL Church, Norwich

“ I knew that this feeling of being free wasn't only about money but more about God's love in action. ”