TWO young mothers have transformed their lives by lending a hand at a Durham children’s centre.

Now Rachel Saville and Grace Eckerman are encouraging others to follow in their footsteps by volunteering at Brandon One Point Children’s Centre.

Miss Saville, from Meadowfield, has been helping to run Stay and Play sessions at for two years.

The 23-year-old, who is mother to Lilly Mae, four, helps plan the sessions, set up and tidy the room and keep in touch with parents.

She said: “I started as a volunteer after the senior family worker suggested it to me.

“Volunteering has helped me get on the right track to gain experience to go alongside the qualifications I have earned through the children’s centre.

“It’s really going to help me in the future as I’d like to work with children with special needs and I’m planning to go to college in September to study health and social care.

“I’d encourage anyone wanting to work with children to get into volunteering. I’ve learned so much. My confidence has increased and it’s helped me be a better mam to Lilly Mae.”

Miss Eckerman, 22, from Langley Park, has been volunteering at the Durham County Council centre for 18 months, after first attending a session as a young parent to Joleen, who is now four.

She said: “When I think back to when I first started to go to groups at the centre, I remember I was so shy I barely talked to anyone.

“I’m unrecognisable now. My confidence has grown so much that I never stop talking now.”

She helps the centre’s family workers run the weekly Toddles and Waddles Group, preparing the snacks, chatting with parents and keeping the children occupied.

Miss Eckerman added: “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to do something that I enjoy and that is just for me. Most importantly though, it enables me to give something back to Sure Start in return for the help and support I’ve received.”

“I want to continue volunteering and eventually work in a role like this full-time and am hoping to start a Level 2 teaching assistant course at the children’s centre in September.”

To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Durham County Council children’s centres, contact the One Point service on 03000-261-111.