Your church could run a free budgeting course
Ahead of Talk Money Week, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is offering training to churches so that they can provide free budgeting courses at a time when many people are facing huge financial challenges.
CAP is aiming to train up at least 100 new members of local churches across the UK to become CAP Money Coaches so they can teach people the skills they need to stay in control of their money, and we want to play our part locally by getting as many people as we can here from here signed up for training.
Over 120 CAP Money Courses have already been run across N. Ireland in the last two years, reaching nearly 500 people and CAP is hoping to grow this number significantly.
Local CAP Money Coach, James Myles (pictured above), from Willowfield Church says, “The Universal Credit £20 a week uplift ending, the rise in energy prices which are expected to go up again next year, the increasing cost of food and other essentials, and the end of the furlough scheme are having a massive impact on so many people and their finances across our area.
“This is why CAP is so passionate about equipping local churches so they can offer as much support as possible to people at this incredibly difficult time. Churches in East Belfast and across the rest of Northern Ireland have already stepped up during the pandemic to offer life changing help to those who are struggling and running CAP Money is a fantastic way for them to continue making a positive difference locally.
“Christians Against Poverty is launching this initiative, ahead of the Money and Pensions Service’s Talk Money Week which is promoting the importance of financial wellbeing and openly talking about money worries.
“Running CAP Money at our church has been a massive success, with so many local people now able to manage their money a lot better and live happier lives as a result. We are encouraging new churches to sign up and deliver free budgeting courses in their local communities, help people remove the fear of discussing money concerns and give people the skills they need to stay in control of their finances.”
How can churches get involved?
We are currently taking bookings for our next CAP Money training session where churches can have a representative trained by a CAP expert to become a CAP Money Coach and start running local budgeting courses from their church.
The next training online session will take place on Saturday 20 November 2021 from 9.15am – 12.45pm.
Churches can sign up for a small admin fee of £15.00 and will be provided with free resources to help them launch their first CAP Money Course following the training.
For more information, to register your interest in CAP Money or sign on to our next training session, visit: capuk.org/talkmoneyweek
What is CAP Money?
CAP Money is a budgeting course designed to be run by a trained CAP Money Coach through a local church. Its aim is to offer financial education so people can live within a budget and feel in control of their money. It’s a free course for anyone who feels they would benefit from taking part.
The course is well established across the UK, over 16,000 courses have already taken place and an incredible 73,000 people have attended a course to improve their money skills!
To find out which local areas are already running a CAP Money Course visit: www.capmoney.org
Why is CAP Money so important?
James says: “The CAP Money Course is ideal for people who have had a change in circumstance or are struggling to manage their money and just need a bit of help to take control of their finances. Talk Money Week is all about encouraging people not to be afraid to discuss their financial struggles so they can then go on to receive the help they need to improve their situation. We don’t want people to feel ashamed or to suffer in silence because they are struggling with their cash.
“A local church running CAP Money, especially considering all the financial challenges people are facing right now, will help to give people the confidence to start the conversation, manage their money well, reduce financial pressure and stress, and change many lives for the better.”
Talk Money Week, Monday 8 – Friday 12 November 2021.