Debt

Chelmsford Diocese is working in partnership to tackle the problem of debt.

Debt is one of the major causes of poverty - together with lack of money and money worries. Debt contributes to relationship breakdowns, leading to demand for extra housing.  It impacts children’s welfare, which affects their educational performance and future employment prospects. This increases the likelihood of them being trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Debt can also contribute to health problems and physical and mental illness, leading to greater demand on health services and absence from work, and even job loss. This increases poverty and stress for the whole family, as well as loss of job or health problems, causing financial crisis.

The problem has been exacerbated by the current recession.

Debt is not isolated to low income families but is a greater burden to them as they pay a high interest for credit in any form, including doorstep lenders, money shops and mail order catalogues, often causing them to enter a spiral of debt that is beyond their ability to repay.

Chelmsford Diocese supports the Essex Savers credit union and the credit union movement. See: The Chelmsford campaign for fairer finance.

Resources

Powerpoint and audio presentation on debt by Revd Paul Trathen, Bradwell Area Faith in Action Adviser (PowerPoint presentation, 18MB)

Instructions for downloading and using the presentation

  • Download the file by clicking the link above.
  • Create a folder called 'Debt Presentation'.
  • If you have WinZip (or similar program) installed:
    • Double-click the zip file to open in WinZip
    • Extract all files to the 'Debt Presentation' folder you created
    • Close WinZip
  • If not:
    • Double click the zip file, which should open in Explorer
    • Select all files (Edit > Select All or press CTRL-A)
    • Copy them (Edit > Copy or press CTRL-C)
    • Paste the files (Edit > Paste or press CTRL-V) into the 'Debt Presentation' folder you created
  • Double-click the PNGSETUP.EXE file, which will extract the necessary files onto your computer
    • When prompted for a folder to extract to, make sure it is pointing to the 'Debt Presentation' folder
    • Click OK
  • To start the presentation double-click the PPVIEW32.EXE file.  The presentation will run automatically in fullscreen.
For technical advice contact the IT Officer.

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Page last edited: 25/08/2009
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