A FORMER alcoholic has praised a groundbreaking new scheme changing lives across the region.

Tammy Easterbrook is one of the first to graduate from Durham Constabulary’s Community Peer Mentor scheme.

The 46-year-old, from Darlington, will use her life experiences to inspire and help vulnerable people and those who make frequent demands on emergency services.

She is one of several volunteers now qualified to work within the community offering one-to-one support and opportunities to clients across the region.

Ms Easterbrook said her efforts to overcome alcoholism were invaluable in her work.

She said: “What I went through was rough, from admitting I had a problem to seeking help.

“I’d lost my husband, children and job – I was a dental nurse and spent a long time in denial.

“I’ve been to rehab and in recovery several times and I’m building my life back up now but I had a hard time finding suitable support.

“People tried to push me but you can only get better if you really want to.

“I’ve conquered my problems, I’m back on my feet and I think I can help others who might be in the position I was.

“There’s a real difference between talking to a professional and talking to someone who’s been there.

“People find themselves in dark holes and think they can’t get out of them – by meeting me, they’ll see it’s possible to get there in the end.”

Project co-ordinator Jim Cunningham said volunteers like Ms Easterbrook have been vital in making the scheme an immediate success.

He said: “They are making a difference and performing a role that the police used to, when we still had time to sit down with someone for hours to find the root cause of any problem.

“We don’t have that luxury now but our wonderful volunteers can spend those hours talking face to face and building a rapport.

“We’ve recruited people from all walks of life with all kinds of experience and it works for our clients to know that they’re speaking to someone who may have been in a similar position, rather than a professional.

“When you become vulnerable, you may believe society doesn’t care – we’re trying to put the care back in.”

Yesterday, County Durham and Darlington’s Police, Crime and Victim Commissioner Ron Hogg presented certificates to Ms Easterbrook and fellow volunteers Hannah Johnson, Bradley Moss, Alison Porter, Sharon Shakespeare, Anne Cave, Barbara Dixon-Dawson and Sue Curran.