How can churches support their communities through debt?

Your church is more than just a building; it's a community of people who care. In every village, town and city, local churches play a crucial role in offering support, hope and connection to those who need it the most, meeting the most vulnerable in their darkest times. Because debt and poverty are rarely isolated issues, and often intertwined with other challenges, a holistic approach to support is vital.

From providing safe spaces for conversation to offering practical help, churches offer a beacon of hope. 

Find out how churches like yours can help their communities by reaching out, building relationships, and providing vital support to individuals and families.

Five ways churches can help people in their local community:

1. Run a Warm Welcome Space

Warm Welcome Spaces are inclusive, warm environments where people in your local community can grab a tea or coffee, chat to a friendly face or take part in an activity. It’s a great opportunity for your local church to connect with the community and encourage friendship, boost people’s wellbeing and tackle loneliness and isolation. In fact, talking to Benefact Trust in their Debt Help podcast, we highlighted how isolating debt can be for people who are struggling.

With energy bills already rising, many people can't afford to turn on their heating or make a hot meal, and a warm space can help them feel valued and connected, at a time when they’re struggling the most.

Glenn, Pastor at Wyke Christian Community Church in Bradford, explains the positive impact that the Warm Welcome Space has had in their local community: 
 
“Since opening our Warm Welcome Space, we’ve seen it become so much more than just a place to keep warm or share a meal. It’s grown into a real community – a place where everyone is accepted, friendships are formed, and people know they belong.”

Looking to set up a Warm Welcome Space in your local church? Read the helpful guide here.

2. Give support through the holidays 

The school holidays can be an isolating time for many parents, as their children may be missing out on free school meals, leaving families struggling to provide extra food. Local churches can help by providing free packed lunches or hot meals so that people don’t go hungry.

Many groups in local churches such as parent and toddler groups or coffee mornings pause during school holidays, meaning those who rely on them for community and connection can be left feeling isolated. By choosing to extend these groups into the holidays, you’ll be helping those struggling with mental health or who don’t have support around them. You could even go the extra mile and create a family fun day, filled with games, craft activities and raffle prizes with donations from local businesses.

CAP top tip: Whatever support your local church gives to people in the holidays, make sure to spread the word about it, such as sharing it on social media and printing flyers in your community. 

3. Donate to your local food bank

Over 14 million people are in poverty in the UK right now. That’s millions of people unable to put their heating on or fill their kitchen cupboards with food. More than ever people are getting into debt to pay for these essentials, so it’s not surprising that families are turning to food banks for extra support. You could support people in your community by using your church to run a food bank or gather food donations for your local food bank. 

Sam and Paul, now debt free through their local church-based debt centre, share how they relied on food banks when they were drowning in debt and barely staying afloat:

“We pretty much just cut back to the point where we literally were on basics until we needed to use food banks.”

Learn more about supporting food banks here.

4. Be there to support people in need 

When someone walks into your church for the first time, they could be going through something behind closed doors. Whether it’s financial worries, debt concerns, or mental health struggles, it’s important that you feel equipped to give the right support.

Here’s how church leaders and members can support others in their community: 

• Have a list of key support services and organisations to hand that you can refer to if you need to signpost people to professional support.
• See if there’s a local church in your area that offers one of CAP’s services that you could direct people to if they’re struggling with debt, looking for work, wanting to gain confidence in managing their money, or develop vital life skills.
• Signpost people to the free benefits calculator or Turn2us grants search if they’re struggling financially.
• Print off some free budget worksheets and leave them on a table for congregation members or the community to take home.

5. Partner with CAP

Across the UK, local churches are delivering free, expert debt help, supported by the expertise of Christians Against Poverty. 

We equip churches with professional tools, training, and resources, enabling you to provide support to those trapped in debt and poverty in your community. From helping you to set up money coaching workshops in your local church, to setting up a debt centre, life skills group or a job club – we exist to support churches to make a difference.

Learn more about CAP’s support services.

Photography by Tom Price