Christmas hampers have been thoughtfully put together by volunteers at the Ipswich debt centre and will be given to the 36 families they have worked with to ease the pressure of debt this year.
Christmas hampers were thoughtfully put together Tuesday, December 5, by volunteers at the Ipswich debt centre.
They will be given to the 36 families the debt centre has worked with to ease the pressure of debt this year.
Boxes were filled with donations of mince pies, chocolates, Christmas puddings, crackers and other festive treats to help those particularly worried about the cost of Christmas to enjoy the season.
The Ipswich debt centre is a charitable organisation, run in partnership with Rushmere Christian Fellowship, offers free advice and support to anyone struggling to manage their finances.
Centre manager, Jayne Green, has been involved with the Ipswich centre for the three years it has been open.
“My Dad actually opened one of the first Christians Against Poverty debt centres in the UK and so it’s something I’ve always known about.
“It is really vital and important work as anyone can find themselves in debt. We know that nationally, three per cent of our debt clients have thought about suicide and locally, we see lots of our clients struggling to hold things together. Lots of them tell us they have been to the doctor about stress or depression.
“I feel very thankful and proud of anyone who helped with the hampers or donated. It will help take a little bit of stress out of Christmas for many families and they are full of treats and fun things for people to enjoy”.
Jayne, who also works in HR at Sidegate Primary School in Sidegate Lane (IPSWICH), visits each client personally and, along with a team of volunteers, works to organise repayment plans or liase with lenders to ensure that people have a workable way of paying off debt.
This year alone they have rid eleven families in the town of debt completely.
“We work with them until they are debt free, confidentially and without judgement. We want to get the message out that we are here and we can help. Don’t lie awake at night worrying about money. Debt can be managed and we can help you do it.”
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