Christians Against Poverty to run free money management course at Forres Baptist Church

FREE help is at hand for anyone looking for assistance with managing their finances.

Volunteer advisors, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), are running a money management course at Forres Baptist Church on Clovenside Road later this month, to assist families or individuals on low incomes during the current cost of living crisis.

Church secretary, Rosemary Pannell, confirmed the relaxed and informal sessions will encourage participants to work out their household budgets and share tips for making their pennies go further.

She explained: “Many local families are in a financial crisis due to widespread rising costs.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re running CAP’s money course this April.

“It helps people create workable budgets, helping them to see exactly what is being spent, how to save money and prioritise spending to include the things that are really needed or wanted.”

She added: “People are facing unparalleled financial challenges right now.

“Getting money under control, preparing a budget and having a clear picture of what’s coming in and going out is the first essential step to navigating through the next months and years.”

CAP’s money course will run over three Fridays starting at 10am from April 21.

“The two hour sessions will start with a cuppa and chat,” explained Rosemary.

“We’ll watch short DVD clips and work through an easy-to-use workbook looking at how to put together a household budget.

“We’ll use example budgets to get ideas and demonstrate how to draw up our own.

“Once we have a budget, we’ll look at how to manage finances, using different accounts, finding ways to cut back, save money and put aside for future events.

“We do not share any individual or private information unless participants want to.”

Seven people attended the course the last time it was run at Forres Baptist Church.

Rosemary said: “One attendee was signposted to contact the right service to resolve a particular financial issue.

Another told us “I’ve fully adopted the easy methods and I feel much more in control of my finances. The course facilitators are friendly and provide great suggestions.’”

CAP is a UK charity working with over 800 churches to deliver debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more.

Rosemary said: “Their course is all about empowering people but it’s very relaxed and informal, with everyone contributing suggestions to help manage money.

“The coaches will help anyone who is struggling to put their budget together.

“If the budget just won’t balance and there is debt or a risk of debt we will signpost to other services such as Money Advice Moray, National Debtline or Stepchange for specialist advice.”

Forres Baptist Church also offers a drop-in and warm space with a pantry on Tuesdays from 10am-noon.

Rosemary finished: “Food and energy costs have increased significantly so it is hard to make ends meet for a lot of people.

“We offer a free food and household items pantry which is regularly used by people to top up shopping and save some money.”

To find out more visit https://www.forresbaptistchurch.org/, call Rosemary on 07783 669 171 or email contactforresbaptist@gmail.com.