addiction and even economic abuse can all contribute to financial difficulties, and the list doesn’t end there. ‘It’s not just those who are not working who are struggling,’ says Karen. ‘Workers on zero-hours contracts, self-employed workers, seasonal workers and many other working people are seeking help with debt problems.’ Statistically, clients will often have found themselves in and attempted to settle a debt crisis several times before they achieve a resolution to their financial situation. Debt advisers actively engage with them in a two-way relationship, journeying and working with them. ‘In our role, it’s important to listen and empathise,’ Karen explains. ‘Ultimately we want to help clients improve their situation by working with them – we want them to be part of their debt resolution process.’ The service itself also needs financial support, from the public and other organisations, to continue its work. With the rise in demand, it is hoped that centre hours and the number of advisers will be increased nationwide, although this takes time and resources. In May and June the Bedford debt advice centre sent out volunteer collectors to supermarkets over six days. Karen is grateful for the public’s generous response, which has so far raised more than £2,000 towards extra technology and training for its voluntary team of advisers. ‘To recruit, train and equip an adviser qualified to offer advice can take up to six months to a year,’ she says. ‘Not everyone will be suitable to be a debt adviser. It requires a range of skills, but I will always find a purpose for a willing volunteer.’ Although debt crises are nothing new, the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be underestimated. One of the main areas that debt advice centres have focused on during the pandemic is maximising income for clients, many of whom have struggled to pay bills from their savings and limited resources, often not realising what other entitlements or benefits they qualify for.
Bedford Congress Hall
Lorraine Cook (pictured above), the financial inclusion development manager for Community Services, heads up the work of the Army’s debt advice centres nationwide. She explains that some of the incentives and safeguards put in place by the government and other organisations to help people during the pandemic have only delayed problems. People are now being chased for pre-pandemic debts and payment holidays and the removal of the temporary universal credit uplift have severely impacted many claimants. The advice of the debt advice service has remained the same: ‘If you can pay it, do pay it.’ ‘We can give people a debt solution, but we can’t solve poverty,’ says Lorraine.
She explains how, in the past, government authorities such as the Department for Work and Pensions distanced themselves from churchbased community services and provision. However, they are now ‘seeing the results that our services are achieving, and they want to be a part of it and work with us’. Many clients are confidentially referred from groups they already attend at corps, such as parent-and-toddler clubs or luncheon clubs. They may attend corps activities having received an invitation from the team. Lorraine relates this to the Engel scale of discipleship, whereby clients come in on the fringes but there is ongoing growth and opportunities for faith to be shared. ‘That’s why we do what we do,’ she says. ‘It’s holistic, meeting the wider needs of humanity and offering so much more than debt solutions.’ O For
more information about the Army’s debt advice service, or to find a centre near you, visit salvationarmy.org.uk/ budget-and-debt-advice
LYN WOODS Editorial Assistant Salvationist
Salvationist 6 August 2022
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