KIND-HEARTED residents that are keen to give back to the community are being sought to help vulnerable and isolated people.

The North-East’s Community Peer Mentor project is seeking more volunteers in the Spennymoor and Ferryhill areas of County Durham, as well as Newton Aycliffe, to match demand for the service across the region.

The scheme was rolled out across Darlington and Bishop Auckland in September 2016 with volunteers receiving training before helping individuals in need of advice.

Training designed to boost the skills of would-be volunteers interested in joining the project will be offered in February and March as new recruits are taken on for the New Year.

Durham Police’s Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, Ron Hogg, said: “This means that even more people in our communities who feel vulnerable or isolated can receive the support they need to improve their lives.”

Free training courses will be available at the Spennymoor Community Fire Station, off York Hill Road.

A five-week course will meet every Wednesday from 6pm until 8.30pm from Wednesday, February 1.

A two-day course will run from 9.30am until 4.30pm on Wednesday, March 22, and Thursday, March 23.

For more information, call 0300-0031818 or email jim.cunningham@restorativehub.org.uk