Christians Against Poverty has warned that more people are suffering loneliness and isolation as the cost-of-living crisis pushes them ever deeper into debt.
The charity has recently reported finding clients “too worried to answer the door or answer the phone.”
Before contacting CAP for debt advice and support, 60 per cent of respondents said they had felt lonely, while about 40 per cent admitted that they had not had a meaningful conversation in the past week. Two thirds said that they had no one to turn to when they had a problem.
As one client explained, CAP “definitely gave me hope that there was light at the end of the tunnel.” CAP’s helpline has experienced a significant rise in demand this year.
Along with free debt advice, CAP offers emotional support and life-skills courses to help people to connect with others and reduce their loneliness.