A DEBT centre that aims to support people in Kendal struggling with their finances has announced its opening date.

After two years of planning, the Kendal and District Debt Centre has now been given charitable status and hopes to launch on January 9 at St Thomas’ Church, Kendal.

Chair of trustees, Rev Jonny Gios says the centre is needed more than ever.

“We all know prices are going up for food, fuel and energy,” he said.

“People are going to be struggling with finances and having the centre is so needed.

“It just takes one bill to have a knock on effect and then everything spirals.”

The centre is supported by St Thomas’ Church, Stricklandgate Methodist Church, Kendal Parish Church, St Marks, Natland, Crosscrake, and Gateway Church.

And they have now appointed Samantha Vyner-Brooks as its voluntary debt centre manager who is training with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) from November.

“CAP debt coaching really works,” said Ms Vyner-Brooks.

“People in debt and despair find hope and I have seen with my own eyes the transformation as they see prayers answered and become debt free.

“It is life-changing and life-saving work that we are involved in and I am so thankful for the opportunity to reignite this outreach ministry in Kendal initially, but hopefully further afield as the charity grows.”

The previous CAP debt centre was run by Parr Street Church and closed in 2019 after seeing more than 77 families go debt free over its ten year period.

Seeing the need for a centre offering debt support church leaders rallied and began forming the organisation.

“We are delighted as trustees and church leaders that the centre has got to this point,” said Rev Gios.

“In a challenging pandemic we have achieved something that seemed quite challenging at the start of this year.

“We have battled on through to help support those we know in this town, who are struggling with debt. We give thanks to God for opening doors and providing financial support.”

Kendal and District Debt Centre is looking for further financial support, volunteer befrienders, trustees and connections with other organisations.

To date the centre has raised £17,000.

Rev Gios added: “The Kendal and District Debt Centre are extremely grateful to people who have given financially to the work.

“We would also like to thank church leaders, our local council, Cllr Doug Rathbone and Tim Farron getting behind the venture.”