Times are hard for many across the county and the reality of cost of living is continuing to hit homes.

The churches in the Pydar Deanery are working together to offer free debt advice with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), to help those weighed down by growing bills. The initiative supports people in areas stretching across the deanery including Perranporth, Newquay, Padstow and the surrounding villages.

Image shows someone sat on some steps holding a dog.

The Pydar Deanery CAP project only launched in January this year, after recruiting Bekah Gomez as the CAP Debt Centre Manager and is already proving to be a much-needed service.

Currently, Bekah is able to take on two new clients each month offering advice and giving referrals to other services, such as the foodbank, if needed.

So far 11 people have accessed the service, and Bekah has had a full client load since the opening of the centre. She has recently recruited a new volunteer Debt Coach to expand the service and take on more clients each month.

Revd Anna Hyde, the Church Leader at St Gregory’s, Newquay, said: “Debt is a financial issue but it is emotional as well, so Bekah also takes a befriender with her who is there to offer friendship.

“It is great to work together with the deanery on this project and seeing what we can achieve together.

“It is amazing to be able to meet the need, but also sad that the CAP services are so desperately needed.”

Bekah is also able to work with others agencies in the area, such as the foodbank, collaborating to serve the community’s needs.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) was founded in 1996 and has two foundations – the first to see people released from the weight of debt and poverty and the second to see local churches at the centre of this mission, on the ground, meeting people face to face and putting God’s love into action.

There are around 300 centres across the country and Newquay centre joins others in Cornwall including Truro and Liskeard.

Visit http://capuk.org/help to see what local help CAP offers or where you can volunteer to help.