A FREE debt counselling service is celebrating a decade of helping hundreds of Herefordshire people and their families sort out their finances.

Ross Baptist Church, in partnership with other local churches, launched the centre in partnership with the UK charity Christians Against Poverty in the middle of the financial crisis in 2010.

Elaine Loe, Wye Valley Debt Centre manager said: “Looking back we knew that there was a real need in the area, we were just blown away by how much we were needed when the credit crunch hit.

"Since then we have helped over 500 people with many repossessions stopped, relationships saved from breakdown and lives saved from suicide.”

She and her team of debt coaches and a large team of volunteers have been giving a unique, free and face to face service in the community, backed up by financial experts at CAP’s Head Office.

“For me it is an amazing position to be in and sometimes very challenging too. We see people often at the lowest point but then we get to see that burden taken away and so many issues addressed along the way and that is a great joy,” Elaine said.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the charity have continued to provide debt help, providing a phone-based service rather than home visits.

To get help with debt ring CAP on 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org