Former soldier Phil Hayes has replaced the shame he experienced as a heroin addict with a pride in helping others overcome their addictions.
Phil, 53, was working as a security guard at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary earlier this year when he spotted a job advert for a “peer bridger” with Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme. (LEAP).
The ad stated that experience of addiction was essential. The job involves making proper human connections with people seeking a drug free life, with the benefit of support from people who have already fought that fight.
