About Us

Freeing people in debt and poverty in Colchester since 2013.

What We Do

‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’

Micah 6:8

In the UK there are 15 million people in poverty – 22% of the entire population. Here in Colchester the Foodbank feeds 15 thousand people a year, 43% of those are children.

Colchester CMA Debt Centre seeks to release people from the prison of poverty and debt. We work in partnership with national charity Community Money Advice

Our services are always:

Free
Confidential
Sympathetic – you’ll never be judged
Face to face with a real person

Our advisers will:

take over dealing with your creditors
help you manage your household budget
work with you for as long as you need help

For more information about the services our centre is able to offer and to make an appointment with one of our experienced money mentors contact us today.

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Unique Support

Our support for clients is unique in many ways.

We know all about debt and what impact it has: it can feel like being in a prison where you can see no way out; it can make you feel afraid, ashamed, guilty, angry. We know it can make every part of your life hard and stressful and make you feel you can’t face another day.

However, there is a way out and our Money Mentors can help you to get free, not only to get out of debt but teach you how to remain debt free in the future. We do this through care and patience, God’s grace and his compassion towards all people.

All our help is free and we are looking to help any person who is feeling crushed by debt, irrespective of race, ethnicity, sexuality, religious background or, indeed, a preference not to be involved with religion.

Need help?

Our Team

Vacant

Centre Manager

Sharon Clayton

Administrator

Ruth Woodman

Money Mentor

Sian Simpkins

Trustee

Nicky Young

Trustee

Michael Roberts

Trustee

Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale

Chair of Trustees

Toby Bull

Trustee

Andy Neill

Trustee

Paula Goddard

I am Paula, centre manager for Colchester CMA debt centre. My own journey started as a client in 2013 and this ignited my passion for all the things that the Debt Centre worked towards, walking the journey with those that have lived similar experiences and the opportunity to be a voice for those often not given the chance to be heard. The thing I love most about my role is being able to see God work miracles in every life we connect with.

Sharon Clayton

Colchester CMA Debt Centre is such a special place to work. We are privileged to witness answers to prayer and real miracles happen. Working with CCDC has taught me so much about God, His heart for the poor, His constant and uncompromising hope, and His willingness to work with us if we will only step out. I am also involved as a Deacon for Prettygate Baptist Church.

Ruth Woodman

I’m Ruth and I am very excited to have joined the Colchester CMA Debt Centre team. I have been a supporter of the centres work for many years, and have volunteered as a Money coach for my church in Sudbury and seen how it has helped many people to manage their money, live their lives.

Budgeting skills are not enough to help those with more serious debt problems of course, and I am really pleased I can now come alongside people in their journey out of debt. Community Money Advice has such an excellent, professional and Christ-centred approach and the Colchester CMA Debt Centre is a great bunch of people so I could not be in a better place!

Sian Simpkins

Sian has been a CCDC trustee since 2020 . After a career in Whitehall, Sian now works for Chelmsford Diocese and is married to Matt, who is Priest in Charge at St Leonard’s, Lexden.

Sian has been involved with the Debt Centre in various places since 2013 when she first volunteered as a befriender. She has been a Money Coach and also the Life Skills Manager in Colchester.

Sian is also part of the Children’s and Youth team at St Leonard’s, and sits on the Steering Group of the English for Women project, based in Chelmsford, which supports women from any country for whom English is not their first language.

Michael Roberts

Hello, I’m Michael Roberts I have been serving as a trustee and treasurer of CCDC since 2018. I started volunteering for CCDC as a Befriender and saw the positive impact and hope that our work brings for families.

I was invited to become a trustee in 2018, and it has been exciting to see our local centre grow and increase our services in this time. I attend St Johns Church in Colchester with my wife, Jo, and our 2 children, Zoe and Jaeden. I enjoy watching football and support Liverpool, I also enjoy running, going to the gym, and playing drums.

Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale

I’m the Chair of trustees of Colchester CMA Debt Centre

I was ordained 2016 and joined the University in June 2020 after completing curacy (on-the-job training) in East London and Coggeshall. Prior to ordination I was a specialist legal & business research librarian.

As well as Anglican Chaplain, I am licensed as an associate priest to the adjacent C of E parishes in Wivenhoe & Colchester. I am passionate about inclusivity and social justice. I also contribute to training of new lay & ordained church leaders, write for a national series of Bible reflections and is closely involved with Colchester Citizens.

Toby Bull

My name is Toby. I am a primary school headteacher as well as an accomplished and multitalented musician. When I’m not busy with work I enjoy time with my family and working on my musical abilities.

My role as a trustee of CMA is to support with governance, strategy and leadership.

Andy Neill

Andy joined us as a trustee having been been involved with supporting our clients for many years, he ran an charity based Job Club for a long time as well as being an excellent befriender and part of our previous drop-in service.

Andy is also a Senior Consultant Solicitor and is passionate about trying to support the less fortunate. He coordinates directly some programmes in Uganda, this includes building a school and offering housing to the destitute. He has also been assisting persecuted victims with successful asylum applications to the UK.

Thanks for putting your hand up to volunteer!

We would love to talk to you about opportunities at CCDC. Just pop your details into the form and we'll be in touch with you to discuss your interest further!

About Us

Freeing people in debt and poverty in Colchester since 2013.

What We Do

‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’

Unique Support

Our Team

Vacant

Sharon Clayton

Ruth Woodman

Sian Simpkins

Nicky Young

Michael Roberts

Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale

Toby Bull

Andy Neill

Change A Life Today

As long as poverty, injustice & inequality persist, none of us can truly rest. It doesn’t take much to change a life, Get in touch today and start making the difference.

Paula Goddard

Sharon Clayton

Ruth Woodman

Sian Simpkins

Michael Roberts

Revd Dr Sara Batts-Neale

Toby Bull

Andy Neill

Thanks for putting your hand up to volunteer!