Christians Against Poverty

Christians Against Poverty, operating under the alias CAP UK, is a debt relief charity based in the United Kingdom. Its primary activity is providing free, confidential debt advice and money‑management support to individuals experiencing financial difficulty. The organisation helps people understand their financial situation, negotiate with creditors, and develop realistic repayment plans. In addition to one‑to‑one counselling, CAP offers group budgeting courses and practical workshops on saving and spending. All services are delivered without charge and are open to anyone regardless of religious belief.

CAP maintains a national presence through a network of local centres that are often hosted by partner churches and community venues. These centres enable the charity to reach people in towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The volunteer‑driven model allows CAP to deliver support locally while benefiting from central training and resources. By embedding its services within existing community structures, the organisation aims to make help accessible and stigma‑free.

A distinguishing attribute of CAP is its integration of Christian motivation with professional debt‑advice practice, emphasizing compassionate, non‑judgmental support. The charity is recognised for its holistic approach, combining financial guidance with emotional and practical assistance such as help with housing, benefits and employment. CAP’s debt‑management plans are negotiated with creditors to reduce monthly payments and interest, aiming to make repayments affordable. The organisation also runs money‑skills courses that teach budgeting, saving and responsible credit use. Founded in 1994 by John Kirkby, CAP has grown to become one of the UK’s most visible debt‑advice charities.

Structurally, Christians Against Poverty is an independent registered charity governed by a board of trustees and funded through donations, grants and partnerships with churches and other organisations. It does not have a parent company or subsidiary structure; its operations are coordinated centrally while local centres retain autonomy in day‑to‑day service delivery. The charity’s headquarters are located in the United Kingdom, though the exact city is not specified in the available sources. As a nonprofit, CAP reinvests any surplus into expanding its services and improving support for those in debt.