A VIDEO that shows churches how to help people struggling with debt to find free advice and support is the latest weapon in the Archbishop of Canterbury's war against debt.

The two-hour film, Guiding People to Free Debt Advice: A debt awareness and signposting workshop, is designed to train church staff and volunteers to identify among their congregations and friends anyone who could be heavily in debt. The video, available as a free download or a DVD, also aims to enable churches to show anyone struggling with debt where they can find professional advice.

Archbishop Welby said: "Helping people to get out of debt, and freeing them from the [associated] anxiety and exploitation, is part of the Church's commitment to human flourishing. I welcome this new training resource to help local churches play a vital role in encouraging people to seek assistance earlier, and to make use of the many free debt advice services that are available."

The resource was produced by the Money Advice Trust in partnership with Archbishop Welby's Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings.

Christians Against Poverty runs debt-advice centres out of churches across the UK. The charity's founder, John Kirby, said that, while debt appeared to be insurmountable, everyone could help without specialist knowledge. "

All that is needed is compassion, and the information to signpost to the services out there which will do the complex financial work. This new resource [will] help Christians feel confident in being that vital link in the chain."

www.toyourcredit.org.uk/debt-aware