In June 2020 Sunderland Connect Network was approached by Steve Haines, Partnership Manager from Christians Against Poverty, with the idea of setting up Sunderland Debt Centre with the support of the local church community.

 

In the past Sunderland had 2 Debt Centres, one in Houghton and one in Washington; these sites have helped hundreds of families who had been trapped by poverty and unable to pay their bills, offering advice and guidance on a route out of debt. The key person who had been heading up the Washington centre was leaving the role; the centre would be closing leaving a huge gap in our city with only the Houghton site running and supporting the families for both sites.

 

During the initial call with Steve, it was discussed about potentially opening a new Sunderland CAP Debt Centre in 2021 with the involvement of one or more churches.

 

Deb Fozzard, Founder and Director of Sunderland Network took the lead and immediately put out the call to the churches in the Sunderland area.  A Connect Conversation took place shortly after, via Zoom, with church leaders and Christians Against Poverty.  Churches were asked to express interest in taking the idea forward and a second meeting took place from which 5 churches agreed to support the centre, Jennifer Bradshaw, North Wearside Parish, was also nominated and voted in as chair.

 

Sunderland Connect Network passed the baton to the churches and Christians Against Poverty who together started the process of setting the centre up.  The Houghton Debt Centre kindly agreed to open up their advice service to those in debt across the city during the process of setting up the new centre.