Chris Chapman hit rock bottom earlier this year. One programme helped him back upChris Chapman, 58, from Rochdale expects to gain over £12,000 in benefits thanks to Money Matters, a scheme set up by Kellogg’s and Resolve Poverty.(Image: PinPep)

It took two months for Chris Chapman’s worst nightmares to become reality.

The single dad from Rochdale was struggling with debt when he was made redundant at 58 in January. By March, making ends meet was a tall order.

The cutbacks on ‘clothing, gas, electricity and social activities’ for his family were tough, as was being unable to provide new boots for his 16-year-old son, an avid Rochdale Mayfield rugby league player.

To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE

But the ‘tension’ the savings created was another matter entirely, Chris said, as he skipped meals to keep his family afloat.

“I’d been a single parent for 10 years so nothing’s ever been easy, I’ve always been ready to fight mentally and push myself to succeed – but it felt like I was running out of traction,” he said.

“The lack of money for even the basics creates some tension between us. I sometimes missed meals to provide things for my son.

“I could feel myself getting more and more depressed, and going under slightly.”

Chris’ spiral only stopped when Resolve Poverty stepped in with its ‘Money matters’ programme.

Co-created with cereal giant Kellogg’s, Money Matters gives parents advice on how to manage debt, and tells them how to claim benefits they are already entitled to.

*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE ***
Chris Chapman, 58, from Rochdale expects to gain over £12,000 in benefits thanks to Money Matters, a scheme set up by Kellogg’s and Resolve Poverty.(Image: PinPep)

The project installed ‘financial inclusion officers’ at participating schools for the last three years, and Resolve Poverty said on Tuesday (August 26) it’s helped more than 300 families in that time to become around £500,000 better off in total.

The average gain for each family was £1,634 per year, and one household saw their income jump by a staggering £24,121 annually.

The Chapmans’ situation is one which happens ‘all too often’, according to a top teacher at a Stretford primary school participating in Money Matters.

Assistant headteacher Jackie Crouch said: “All too often it turns out that families are not receiving what they are entitled to.

“One family at our school is better off by £1,000 per month. Most of all we’ve seen pupils’ focus and concentration improve.

“It ought to be self-evident, but children are better able to learn when they are fed, wearing the correct uniform and unencumbered by the sorts of money worries that ought to be the preserve of parents.”

Five months after hitting rock bottom, Chris is looking up. The ex-business development executive’s lad starts sixth form college next week, and he has claimed £12,000 of benefits he was entitled to.

“My support worker from Money Matters was fantastic from the very first call, offering a listening ear with empathy and understanding,” he said.

“From there on I was introduced to food banks that helped, also to institutions that helped with gas and electricity and to debt counselling from Citizens Advice.

“Without Money Matters, I would have found it difficult to find and navigate the support out there for families such as myself and my son.”

You can find out more about Money Matters on Resolve Poverty’s website.