Ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week (9-15 June), debt advice charity, Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP Scotland) is releasing a new report, revealing the devastating impact debt and poverty is having on people.
A crisis of isolation and fear is gripping people struggling with debt and poverty across the UK, according to the new report, No Time to Lose. It looks at the experiences of CAP Scotland’s clients, and reveals a stark picture where debt is forcing people into hiding, with a staggering 85% feeling isolated, and more than half (52%) admitting they were afraid to leave their homes.
CAP’s new report also highlights that many Scottish households face a debt crisis. New CAP clients in Scotland on average owed over £10,000*. They had organisations chasing them for payments on 9 different debts, with 51% of their arrears for priority debts, often for essential bills like Council Tax, rent arrears, gas and electricity.
This comes alongside CAP’s latest polling with Opinium**, which reveals that over 11.2 million UK adults are suffering with loneliness (21%), with 11.1 million (20%) living alone. Importantly, over 4.6 million (8%) report not having a support network.
In Forth Valley CAP partners with 10 Churches, including Stirling Baptist Church, to offer free debt advice to local people, and CAP’s Forth Valley Debt Centre Manager, Fiona Primrose says that isolation and fear are preventing people from seeking help, leading to their debts spiralling out of control.
Fiona said: “The financial pressures people face often go unseen, and as many are afraid to ask for help, they can isolate themselves from family and friends. CAP’s latest report highlights that low income and struggles with mental health are the two biggest reasons our clients are finding themselves in a debt crisis. Many people live on ridiculously low incomes, and when faced with increasing costs and other financial challenges they can become trapped in a vicious cycle of uncontrollable debt, leaving them to feel ashamed and alone – only worsening their fear and anxieties.”
Findings from No Time to Lose highlight the extent of the constant state of anxiety that many of the people coming to CAP for help report feeling:
- 78% fear answering the phone
- 82% are worried about opening the post
- 62% are frightened about a knock at the door
- 58% suffered from poor mental health
CAP client and mum of three, Jolene, faced the raw isolation of a financial collapse when her working hours were slashed at the same time as she became liable for additional debts: “I’d worked hard to get where I was, and I’d put myself through qualifications so I’d be in a good financial position.
“But my ex-partner left, which meant not only was I now responsible for paying back all the bills, but I was stuck paying off his debts as well. I didn’t sleep properly because my head was permanently calculating, worrying about where the next meal’s going to come from. It was a really depressing time.”
Jolene finally reached out to Christians Against Poverty: “That community has literally saved me, it’s given me and my family hope for the future. What churches working with CAP do is provide a life-changing experience, but it’s not just the initial support and getting people out of debt: it’s that life-long support and guidance that they give you.”
Fiona continued: “Many people struggling with debt are forced into isolation because of fear and worry about their situation. Thankfully, we’re able to meet clients face-to-face and provide in-depth, bespoke support. We’re determined to help more people in Forth Valley who are struggling financially, and so we urge those who need support to get in touch – please don’t suffer alone.”
How to seek help
You can find more information on all of CAP’s free services in your area on CAP’s website at capuk.org, which includes access to an article on loneliness and some helpful tips and hints on how to manage your money.
You can also contact your local CAP centre by emailing forthvalley@capuk.org or calling 07395281788.