AMMAN and Towy Valley people who may find themselves stuck in the debt trap are set to get free help thanks to a local churches opening a debt counselling centre.

Six Carmarthenshire churches have teamed up with the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) charity and opened centre's across East Carmarthenshire including Ammanford and Llandeilo.

The award-winning service will be available in St Teilo's, Llandeilo, Ammanford's Evangelical and Elim Community Churches.

East Carmarthenshire centre manager Ian Tame said: The Church has always been about offering hope and we're really pleased to be able to give a tried-and-tested route out of debt alongside other great free debt advice in the area like Citizens Advice.

“There is a lot in the Bible about looking after the poorest. In our society, a lot of poverty is debt-related so our congregation has been working hard to open a CAP centre to help get people back on track.”

CAP offers people a uniquely in-depth, caring service to people with spiralling personal debt regardless of their age, gender, faith or background. Every client is visited in their own home, the charity does all the negotiating with creditors and local volunteers offer support to each person face-to-face until the day they are debt free. Statistics show that one in three callers seeking debt help are feeling suicidal but find huge relief through the non-judgemental service that treats every person as an individual.

Ian added: “Typically, debts can build up when a relationship breaks down, or someone loses their job, or through bereavement – so often when people are least able to cope with a financial headache. We’re just so pleased to be able to partner the care of our church with the financial expertise of CAP’s head office in Bradford.”

The team will also have a stand at Ammanford market on Friday, June 3.

To find out more visit capuk.org or call 0800 328 0006.