People in Bradford addicted to alcohol are being offered fresh hope from former addicts in their bid to get sober.

A charity called Lifeline, which provides drug and alcohol programmes across England, has opened a new venture in Bradford city centre, which will help addicts work towards total abstinence and recovery from alcohol addiction.

Key to the success of the service, called the Share (Self Help Alcohol Recovery Exchange), is the involvement of former addicts who work as volunteer mentors to guide others through recovery.

Matt Birch, operations manager for Lifeline said: “That is its uniqueness. It is designed and run by people who have been through it and come out the other end.

“The service is user-led and addicts will work with recovered addicts on how to become sober. It is entirely about abstinence and recovery from alcohol.”

The project, which is for over-18s, has only been up and running for six weeks, but is already proving popular. Breakfast drop-in sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings have attracted up to 47 people and every afternoon people are participating in two recovery programmes.

Funds provided by Lifeline have turned what was a derelict space at 17, Manor Row, into spacious rooms, with areas for people to work on computers, talk and take part in programmes.

“Alcohol is a huge problem for our community,” added Mr Birch. “Lifeline recognised there was a need for this service in Bradford and from our own funds have started this with support from the Primary Care Trust who have given us financial help as well.

“Piccadilly is brilliant, but this is a necessary addition to that help, with the focus on people getting sober. We are not a medical service but we can help prepare people for detox because that is the first step. The hard part is remaining sober and that is where we can help. It is about rebuilding lives.”

Former addict David Counsell, one of the volunteer peer mentors working in the project, said: “It is not easy to recover from alcohol, and we want people who want to take on that challenge. You have to be willing to work on sobriety.”

People who drop in to the service will be made to feel at ease by the volunteers and taken through a referral process to assess drinking levels and what they want to achieve.

They will be helped to break down the barriers that have caused them to drink in the first place and be helped to rebuild their lives. This includes gaining self-respect, getting back together with families and back into employment.

“It is not easy – working with any addiction is hard work – but it can change your life and make you a valued member of the community again,” added Mr Counsell.

For further information about the new project call the Piccadilly Project on (01274) 735775.