A WOMAN whose brother died a drug-related death says she hopes a new wellbeing hub for vulnerable people can “save lives”.

Sarah Heseltine, 34, lost her brother Keiron Daly when he died in a friend’s flat at Barrow Island’s Egerton Court after taking heroin and methadone in December 2017.

He was 27.

Now she has taken up volunteering at a new hub in the housing estate, which aims to help people with drug and alcohol problems as well as other issues.

The hub opened at the end of January in a bid to tackle substance-related issues - and to try to combat the spate of drug deaths.

It was a joint project between a multi-agency taskforce, involving police, councils, public health bosses and addiction support charities including The Well, which Mrs Heseltine volunteers for.

She said: “I think if we had this hub when my brother was alive then it could have made a difference.

“There used to not be anything to support families who were struggling but this hub is something that will help people.

“I struggled where to look for support for myself and the rest of my family as drink, drugs and addiction affects everyone not just the one person.

“I will never get over the loss of Keiron but in my hearts of hearts I truly believe that if the services were available at that time, his life would have been very different.

“My brother never reached out to ask for help but I’m sure he would have used the hub.

“Hopefully we can save lives.”

The mother-of-three, a team leader at the Disabilities Trust who lives on the Promenade on Walney, said she gained a new understanding of addiction by working at the hub.

She said: “It has really helped me to understand the reasons behind people getting addicted to drugs and I hope I can use that to help people.

“All the volunteers are some of the nicest people I have ever met.

"We welcome anyone who needs help, without judgement."

Appealing to struggling families and people, she said: “Anyone can come and use the hub, it doesn’t matter where you are from - no one will be turned away.”

The hub is situated at flat 18a, Egerton Court.

Supports groups who have joined include The Well Communities, Mind in Furness, Barrow Foodbank, Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service and Women’s Community Matters.