Year after year Christians Against Poverty is recognised as one of the best organisations to work for in the UK. Luke Boulton describes what makes the charity such a good workplace.


All new starters to debt counselling charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), are given a harmonica to keep on their desk. When a client becomes debt free, their caseworker will play, starting a chain of music that fills the entire office building in corporate recognition and celebration. Ideas that link staff to the charity’s vision have gone a long way to help CAP be repeatedly recognised as one of the best small companies to work for in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Companies awards.

CAP started in 1996 and has grown from one man with no financial backing, to a national charity with 150 staff in its head office in Bradford and a network of 125 centres across the country. CAP’s growth and success can be broadly attributed to three significant factors; a compelling and well communicated vision, a passionate but chilled culture and inspiring but servant-hearted leadership.

Vision

The heart of CAP is to reach out to those who are poorest and most marginalised in society and free them from the burden of debt. As a result of its service, fear and stress is alleviated, marriages are kept together and even suicide is averted. CAP’s long term goal is to achieve total UK coverage, so that anyone can have access to its free face-to-face service.