With the Christmas decorations taken down and the credit card bills rolling in, Caterham Community Church is among those encouraging a positive outlook for 2011.

Instead of feeling weighed down with the economic gloom, they are challenging people to be brave and take control of their finances.

Church members Stephen Bidwell John Bowdery and Carlo Helvadjian have been trained by money experts at charity Christians Against Poverty to assist local people with their money by putting on free sessions over a three week period for those wanting to gain better control of their finances.

Stephen said: "So many of us are guessing at our finances. We're hoping for the best while continuing to spend, really without knowing what we have available. Finding the truth about our finances can be the first step in feeling better about our lives."

The church is one of more than 700 across the UK that has received training to run CAP Money to help get people's finances back on track. The Church community, like many others, wanted to do something to serve their fellow residents during this financial crisis."

Stephen added: "All the emphasis in recent times has been buy now and pay later. It's fun at the time but can bring about months of worry, especially when we are all living through a time of uncertainty.

"With so many expected changes in our incomes this year we need to learn how to take back control of our money and remember the joy of saving up for something. This is why we're putting on these three sessions during which we'll help people get to grips with what money they have coming in and what is going out of their accounts. We'll also be showing people of all ages and incomes how to really use their bank and use cash over cards. No one will have to disclose private financial information. Most of the course is about enabling people to see their own situation clearly."

The three sessions take place at Caterham Community Church in Coulsdon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill from 8pm every Thursday evening beginning 24th February.

For further details see www.capmoney.org or telephone Stephen on 0798 1321048 to book your free place.