A FORMER social services worker has realised her dream of starting an alternative therapy business.

For more than three years, Gill Cooper, from Easington Colliery, County Durham, has been trying to establish herself as a therapist, particularly helping those with special needs and their carers.

Now, thanks to help from Easington Action Team for Jobs, she is running sessions in managing stress through hypnosis and past life regression.

She also specialises in hypnotherapy treatment for addictions, depression, and anger management.

The action team helped Ms Cooper buy equipment for the business, assisted with her childcare costs, and paid for her professional insurance.

Her advisor, Enid Dalton, also helped her successfully apply for a grant to take up a clinical hypnotherapy course to complement her curative hypnotherapy diploma.

Ms Cooper said: "Having worked for social services for more than ten years, I know this type of service does not exist in our area and I am really excited about being able to offer it."

Ms Dalton said: "It is a slightly different kind of business, but there is demand for it and if Gill's commitment and enthusiasm are anything to go by, it cannot fail."

For help from the action team, call 0800 389 6532.