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Money-management course returns to Battersea church

Summary:

The free course will take place at St Marks on Battersea Rise over three evenings, starting on Monday.

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By Kevin Newton

Financial worries and budgeting problems could be a thing of the past as a popular money-management course returns to a Battersea church next week.

The free course, devised by the national debt-counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and run by trained members of St Marks on Battersea Rise, takes place over three evenings beginning on March 5th.

Dan Burrows, money coach at St Marks, said: “With households feeling the squeeze on their disposable income, we’ve all got to get a bit more savvy about our money to get through these tough times.”

St Marks has been running CAP Money, which is designed to help people learn how to budget, save, plan and get back in control of their money, for nearly two years now, helping over 150 people.

It has been found to be useful for newly retired people, soon-to-be students, mums dealing with mounting bills, families saving for a wedding and everyone in between.

Mr Burrows said: “We hope that we can help people, quietly and confidentially, take the guess work out of their situation so they can plan for the future, sort out any problems early and come through unscathed.”

This is the busiest time of year for CAP, which says that 22 per cent of the UK population are considered to be living below the poverty line.

Twenty one per cent of its clients blame problems with budgeting for their financial worries, followed by unemployment and breakdown of relationships.

Matt Barlow, CAP’s Chief Executive, said: “These figures back up what we see face-to-face in the lives of the people we help: life can be really tough.

“However, the encouraging element of this report is that given the right level of care and expertise, it is taking on average just three years for people to become debt free with Christians Against Poverty.

“This is a great credit to the individuals who have to make brave decisions to live differently and stick to a strict budget despite the complicated backdrop of relationship breakdown and job loss.”

The course runs from 7.35pm-9.30pm on March 5th, 12th and 19th.

For more information or to book your place email Mr Burrows at [email protected], visit www.capmoney.org or telephone 0207 326 9417.

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