As events celebrating Volunteer Week take place across County Durham, The Northern Echo is featuring the people who give up their time freely to make a difference to other people's lives.

Sandra Manners has changed her career plans after volunteering with Sedgefield-based support organisation Cavos and founding Newton Aycliffe Mobility Club.

Before these experiences, she worked as a machinist and a production worker for a steel company, both of which were manual jobs.

Now, she has completed an NVQ in management and supervision and is looking for a community development role.

She said: "I founded the Newton Aycliffe Mobility Club in 2003 when my aunt, who has severe arthritis, moved to the area and discovered there wasn't much happening for people in a similar situation.

"I went to Cavos for advice and help on setting up the group and getting charitable status and ended up taking an NVQ in business administration to help myself.

"I then began volunteering with Cavos and now I really enjoy the community development work.

"I've been volunteering for four years and it has changed my life as well as my outlook on my career.

"It's opened new doors. I never really thought about work as a career in the way I do now.

"I am hoping that the experience I have had volunteering and the qualifications I have taken will lead to me moving into paid work in the same field.

"Volunteering is a fantastic experience; you meet so many different people. Even when I get a job I will still continue to volunteer in my spare time because it has added an aspect to my life that I wouldn't want to lose."