SINGLE mother Val Doherty has realised an ambition by becoming a counsellor after five years of study.
The 34-year-old gained her HNC counselling diploma at Bishop Auckland College while working full-time and caring for her two children.
She also recently learned to drive in just three months, and secured a job with North East Counselling for Addiction group at Sedgefield, where she will work on a one-to-one basis with peoples suffering from alcohol and substance abuse.
Val said: "Without the help and support I received from my family and lecturers, I could not have achieved my goal.
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