YOUNG people across Worcestershire who are building up big debts during Covid are the least likely to seek help.

That’s the warning from a poverty charity that is appealing to people: “Don’t wait to seek debt help.”

Research by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) shows that 60% of their clients waited over a year to seek help – and by that time many had run up immense debts.

In fact the average household they were helping had run up debts of more than £14,000.

On average it would take people 16 YEARS to repay what they owed.

CAP fears people aged 18-25 are particularly slow to ask for help. Just 7% of their clients are in that age group.

That’s despite the fact that young people are known to have been badly hit by growing unemployment from Covid.

Now CAP have launched a major West Midlands campaign to alert people to the need to act before its too late.

Helen Webb, CAP’s National External Partnerships Manager, said: “We know many people are experiencing debt for the first time and for others debts are growing.

“Getting help as early as possible can make a big difference. We want everyone to know that our service is here and completely free of charge.

“We don’t want anyone going into the winter and towards Christmas worrying about how they’ll manage.”

Steven’s story – ‘It was really dark, I felt like giving up.’

Steven, from the West Midlands, was made redundant from his retail job due to the pandemic and then his debts began to spiral out of control.

“It made me feel really low and added a lot of pressure on my shoulders. It was a really dark time. I felt like giving up.”

He called CAP before things got any worse: “Making the first call was the hardest thing I’ve had to do this year but once I started talking to CAP I realised they were a friendly bunch of people who genuinely cared about me.

“Now CAP’s involved I can concentrate on rebuilding my life and getting a new job. I feel hopeful again and I feel like I can breathe.”

“Right now, many people who have worked hard are losing their jobs through no fault of their own. I urge them to ring CAP, get help and rebuild their lives.”

• If you are struggling with debt and need help, contact CAP on 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org.