Crosslight’s 2021 Easter Newsletter
We want to ensure no one struggles alone in 2021
As lockdown in the UK starts to ease, vaccinations increase, and hospitalisations decrease, we are beginning to see renewed hope throughout the country. However, the economic impact of the last 12 months will continue to significantly affect those in financial difficulty, especially those who were already struggling before the pandemic.
That’s why we set out a goal to scale up our work this year so that no one has to suffer alone. This has included expanding our team of advisers, launching a new budgeting programme, and adding new branches and satellite branches to our network, which you can read more about below.
Throughout the first few months of 2021, we have already held over 900 appointments, supporting over 500 individuals with issues ranging from the threat of eviction and bailiffs, to food poverty and lack of heating.
We are currently seeing appointment demand across all our branches at record high levels.
As we mark one year of restrictions in the UK, we have continued to support our clients almost uninterrupted throughout each lockdown. Thanks to our staff, volunteers, and supporters, we’ve deepened our impact over the last 12 months against a very challenging backdrop, which has included:
Supported 1,243 people with debt and money advice
Increased overall client income by £2,596,513
Held 3,600 appointments
Resolved 82% of our clients’ main debt concern
We are committed to reducing poverty and hardship.
Our work is needed now more than ever.
Growing & Expanding To Meet Unprecedented Demand
Crosslight has never been about empire building, but it breaks our heart to know that there are so many people struggling alone. We are preparing to meet a significant increase in demand this year, as we begin to feel the full, long-term economic impact of the pandemic. Universal Credit caseloads are about twice as high as they were pre-pandemic, and are set to increase when the furlough scheme ends later this year.
With The Money & Pensions Service predicting a 60% surge in the demand for debt advice over the next 18 months, our vital service is going to be needed more than ever in 2021and beyond.
We know that face-to-face appointments are essential to our person-centred, holistic approach to debt advice. However, even before the pandemic hit, many of our clients struggled to travel far due to lack of low-cost transport. In order to make our service accessible to those most in need, we are boosting the capacity of our branches through more church partnerships and satellites within our current branch catchments.
Against this backdrop, we are delighted that this year we have already opened two new branches to add to the new branch in Balham which was opened at the end of 2020. In partnership with Pattern Church in Swindon, we were thrilled to open the doors (metaphorically speaking at least!) of Crosslight Swindon in February, and we have an amazing team of new advisers being trained up as we speak.
And in March we started a new partnership with Ealing Foodbank to open Crosslight Ealing which will be able to support so many vulnerable people who have been forced into food poverty. Looking ahead, we are opening a new satellite branch in Hampton Wick with the support of St John’s Church. We are in conversations with several other churches to support our work in other areas too, as we continue to grow and expand.
Meet Amy, our new Branch Manager in Swindon
We were thrilled to open the doors of Crosslight Swindon in February of this year. We caught up with Amy, who is leading the brand new branch.
What’s been your experience of working at Crosslight Swindon so far?
For me one of the biggest things I have realised while working with Crosslight is the assumptions we make about those who are in debt. The media can sometimes make you think that people who are in debt are lazy or just greedy. When in fact so many people are struggling with debt because of health reasons, loss of employment and low income. The fact that half a million people would struggle with debt if the interest increased by 0.5% is a shocking fact! Additionally, it’s lovely to see how even some quick wins can have a huge impact, or even just being heard and not judged for the situation is a massive relief for the client.
Why is this work important for Pattern Church?
Pattern Church has a vision to Invite People Into Family to Serve Swindon. From our launch we have been looking for ways to serve the people of Swindon, to help with the everyday issues they face and to be a blessing to our community. Our partnership with Crosslight is enabling us to do that in a brilliant way, just at the time we know it's going to be needed the most.
What does Crosslight Swindon mean for your community?
Many people in Swindon were already facing an uncertain future because Honda, who are one of the town's biggest employers, had announced they were pulling out even before Coronavirus hit. On top of that, a quarter of Swindon's children are living in poverty. Like any large town there are social issues and struggling people. Against that backdrop, having a practical means of help, like Crosslight, is hugely important for the town.
What inspired you to get involved?
As someone who has newly found faith, I had overwhelming sense that God was calling me to work with Pattern Church. When they announced they would be partnering with Crosslight, I booked myself onto the zoom call with the Crosslight team. When Bruce spoke the words about wanting to restore dignity and renew hope, I knew then I had to be involved with Crosslight (even if it was just voluntary).
Then the role of Branch Manager opened for Crosslight Swindon and I knew this is what I had been waiting for. Even before I found faith, I always had an overwhelming passion to want to find a job where I would be able to help others when they were in need!
Debt, Homelessness & Mental Health: Lauren's Story
Lauren* was referred to Crosslight when she was experiencing homelessness, problems with work, and poor health. Not only was she already suffering from anxiety and mental health issues, but she was being sent threatening letters from creditors all the time.
“I thought of my debts every minute of every day. I couldn’t concentrate on sorting out my other problems, let alone advancing my future.”
When Lauren first met with a Crosslight advisor, she was shocked at how her treatment differed from other advisers she had previously worked with.
“I was surprised at the way my advisor talked to me, advised me, and reassured me with such compassion and consideration. For the first time, I left my appointment feeling happy and hopeful, like everything was going to work out.”
Due to the severity of Lauren’s circumstances, over the next few months Crosslight patiently worked with Lauren to get all her debts written off so that she could have a fresh start. But our support didn’t end there. We helped Lauren enrol in a bookkeeping course and worked with her as she learnt how to take control of her own finances and gain some invaluable budgeting techniques. Lauren is now in stable housing and focused on securing permanent accommodation. She aspires to one day start her own interior design business.
“Crosslight provides the human touch. In my culture we have a saying: ‘I see you.’ It means to see someone not just visually, but truly see them, value them, and respect them. That’s how it felt with Crosslight – that they truly saw me.”
*client’s name has been changed
Thank you and keep in touch
Especially throughout such a challenging period, we want to thank you for all you have helped us achieve the last 12 months. We simply could not continue providing our holistic service to those most in need without our supporters and volunteers.
If you will be making a donation to support Crosslight’s vital work this Easter, a very sincere thank you. We look forward to updating you on how your gift is making a difference throughout 2021.