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REX/Heathcliff O'Malley
UK News

CofE plans to broaden debt collection network

by Hannah Tooley

The new programme aims to grow a nationwide network of support for people that need help so that they can be more informed and in better control of their finances.

A pilot scheme in the London, Southwark and Liverpool dioceses will now be expanded to the rest of the country.

It is the idea of the Just Finance Network, formerly known as the Church Credit Champions Network.

The network will have more than 260 'credit champions', or volunteers in local churches that have been trained within the pilot scheme to help people tackle money issues.

'Credit champions' will be able to help with budgeting skills and advice, as well as practically increasing the size of credit unions.

Mustard Seed Appeal

So far, more than 300 churches are already involved in the scheme, encouraging people to join credit unions, establishing credit union branches in church buildings and urging local employers to set up payroll saving for their staff.

Mustard Seed

The project is expected to bring in more than 3,000 new credit union members by the end of 2016.

It is predicted to save more than £2 million by helping people access affordable credit, rather than high cost payday lenders.

This is all part of the most recent stage of work started by the Archbishop of Canterbury's Task Group on responsible credit and savings.

Churches and Christians are being encouraged to take part in fundraising to help build the network through the Archbishop of Canterbury's Mustard Seed Appeal.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "Churches across the country have responded enthusiastically and with great generosity to the work of supporting credit unions and other forms of responsible credit and savings.

"I hope that by contributing to the Mustard Seed Appeal, we will be able to carry this work forward to dioceses across the country."

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