DEBT counselling charity Christians Against Poverty opened its Radcliffe branch last year to support people with financial problems. It has gone from strength to strength and has recently celebrated its first anniversary. Reporter Gaynor Clarke met centre manager, Julie Macauley, to find out more about its success.

“WE have so much to celebrate. Around a third of clients say they were seriously considering suicide before they called for help, so we know we are literally saving lives.

“We go into people’s homes and see them at their very lowest, but then we get to see their hope and dignity restored and that is a great joy.”

They are the words of Julie Macauley, who has run Radcliffe’s Christians Against Poverty (CAP) branch since it launched in 2012, based at Bridge Methodist Church, in Milltown Street.

She offers free support to clients in financial difficulties, discussing their individual situation, giving them a budget and advice to become debt-free.

Since starting work last year, Mrs Macauley has visited 23 people at their homes in Radcliffe, Bury, Whitefield, Ramsbottom and Tottington.

One person has already become debt-free, while a further 17 people are working with CAP to pay their debts. Five people have chosen not to work with the charity.

There is so much demand that Mrs Macauley’s working hours have increased from eight to 20 a week, and it is hoped she will be able to do three full days soon, when funding allows.

Birthday cake was served at a coffee afternoon held last week for volunteers and clients wishing to celebrate the success of the first year.

Mrs Macauley said: “We have had a really good year.

“We have all kinds of clients of different ages and with different problems. Some are youngsters who have got in a mess with loans and others are people who have had a family crisis or lost their job.”

As well as providing financial advice, Mrs Macauley offers to pray with the client — but she insists that she does not only help Christians.

Her current clients include two Muslim families and a woman who believes in Spiritualism.

Mrs Macauley said: “The service is the same for everyone.

“At the end of the visit, I always ask if they would like us to pray and nearly all of them want to. That’s optional and I don’t force it on people.”

The charity has received financial support from the members of several churches, both in Radcliffe and other parts of the borough.

Fundraising events have also been organised, including a quiz night which raised £2,000, a silent auction and coffee mornings. Mrs Macauley said: “We are getting more and more support from churches. We started with Radcliffe Churches Together, but now we have churches in Bury and Ramsbottom as well.

“They are helping financially, but also volunteering at events and coming to people’s homes with me. We have a really good team of volunteers.”

Volunteers are still needed to boost the team and help with all kinds of tasks, from accompanying Mrs Macauley on visits to clients’ homes or helping people to set up bank accounts, to joining a prayer team or baking cakes for coffee mornings.

She said: “The branch is growing hugely. Although we have lots of help, the more we get, the more we can do.

“People can come along to events and do all sorts of different things to help.

”While many people in the area have experienced our service, there are still so many more who are being hounded by creditors, enduring sleepless nights and missing meals.”

For more information about CAP and to seek its help, call 0800 328 0006 or go to capuk.org.

n A tea party and photoshoot will be held at 4pm on Saturday at Bridge Methodist Church for existing CAP clients and anyone who wants to find out more about the charity.