Two Dereham churches, Dereham Baptist Church and Wellspring Family Church, organized a campaign to create Christmas hampers for local Debt Centre clients in partnership with Christians Against Poverty. The campaign saw an overwhelming response from members of both churches, resulting in 29 hampers being made for households that the Debt Centre had worked with in 2023. Each volunteer was provided with basic demographic information about the households and a recommended spending amount to ensure equity. The hampers included items such as chocolates, biscuits, socks, mugs, small luxuries, and toys, and were also supplemented with gift cards to help with the groceries bill at Christmas, thanks to a grant from the Household Support Fund.
The Debt Centre Manager, Morgan Cockbill, expressed gratitude for the thoughtful and generous gifts that were included in the hampers, and shared messages of thanks from the recipients. The recipients were overwhelmingly appreciative of the hampers, with one saying, “Thank you so much for the lovely surprise parcel. It is so generous and perfectly timed. I keep thinking about what you said about giving it to me as love and it certainly feels that way.” The Debt Centre has experienced a busy year, with 21 new referrals, 4 households becoming debt-free, and 15 progressing through the CAP process. Additionally, 17 people accepted prayer in their home, demonstrating the positive impact that the centre has had on people’s lives.
For those struggling with debt in postcodes NR19 and NR20, free debt help is available from CAP debt services by calling 0800 328 0006 to self-refer. The Debt Centre staff and volunteers have been encouraged by the positive impact they’ve had in people’s lives, and the campaign to provide Christmas hampers is just one of their many efforts to support those in need. Overall, this story highlights a wonderful example of community and generosity, as well as the positive impact that churches and organizations like Christians Against Poverty have on the lives of those in need.
