CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY

How we work with CAP

St Mary’s Church, Wargrave have partnered with the local Henley-based Debt Centre “Christians Against Poverty” charity to extend support for anyone locally in financial distress. There is no requirement to be a Christian to take up any of their services, which are free to all users. The only restriction is that you live within Wargrave , Henley or outlying areas with a postcode of RG10 or RG9.

Debbie Bruwer, Debt Centre Manager, explained the charity’s confidential services to St Mary’s congregation on 16th March 2024: 

1. Assist people in debt to renegotiate their debts to be more affordable, or in some cases, support Debt Relief Orders. We don’t pay off the debt, but by restructuring finances, a sense of hope and self-respect can be achieved.

2. Run courses to provide invaluable assistance in personal budgeting, self-organisation skills and well-being.

3. Operate a Job Club to assist getting into work, with CV support, interviewing skills and work placements.

Calling for Volunteer Drivers to assist the residents of Yeldall Manor

Yeldall Manor, located off Tag Lane, Wargrave is a Christian drug and alcohol recovery centre, where up to 25 men are resident for an 11-month period to help them recover from their addictions and prepare for a safe return to their community. Residents on the first six months are not allowed their own cars and, for the first month, are not allowed to leave Yeldall unaccompanied so, for reasons of both safety and accessibility, assistance is sometimes requested to help the residents when they need to travel to appointments, such as  GP/dentist/hospital, probation service, job centre etc.

• Volunteers would need to be generally available during the working week and would normally be given at least 48 hours notice for any requests, without any expectation that they accept an invitation to drive

• Demand is very variable and volunteers may not be asked for a month or two, or may get a few requests in one week!

• Yeldall Manor has a few cars of varying sizes, including one automatic, that volunteers are invited to use

• Alternatively, the volunteer may drive their own vehicle, providing they ensure that their insurance policy explicitly permits volunteer services (this would normally entail a change of wording but probably not incur additional cost). A mileage rate can be offered to help mitigate costs

• All volunteers will be required to complete a small application form and have references checked plus an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check which will be obtained by Yeldall Manor

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more details, please contact in the first instance local volunteer & Henley Debt Centre Trustee, Terry Grourk or call 07768610213.