A MOTHER who named her first-born after her mentor’s daughter has found herself working alongside her heroine.

Claire Brownrigg, aged 32, who now has three children, was made homeless after family breakdowns and conflicts when she was 17.

She turned to Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme (BYPHS) where support worker Maura Jackson took the young girl under her wing.

At 19, Claire left the care of BYPHS and had her first child, whom she named after Maura’s daughter, Leah, while Maura left BYPHS to carve out a successful career in social care.

Fifteen years on, Maura, aged 41, is now back at the charity as its director — and Claire, now a graduate in youth and community studies, works for the organisation headed by the woman she admired for years.

“When Maura came back to Bolton Young Persons as director this year, I was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe that after all this time I was able to work alongside someone who had not only inspired me to succeed in life but who was there for me when no-one else was,” said Claire, who works at the charity’s hostel.

“I gave my daughter the same name as Maura’s daughter — I loved the name.

“I now have three beautiful children and a lovely home and husband and feel very privileged to work for one of the best organisations for supporting young people.

“Helping other young people who are homeless is as satisfying as I had imagined it would be and I thank Bolton Young Persons for not only helping me when I was homeless, but for continuing to support me in my future career.”

Maura, whose last job was as chief executive officer of a service for victims of domestic violence in London, said: “I am touched to discover Claire’s eldest daughter has the same name as my daughter because of the connection we had at the time of Claire being homeless.

“It is overwhelming to hear Claire describe her experience in the scheme as a service user and how that has driven her to want to work not only in the sector but in the scheme that helped her get started.”

Maura, a previous winner of the national working mother of the year title from the Working Mothers Association, now heads a team of 13 staff, five volunteers and 11 trustees. BYPHS was set up in 1991 to help single young homeless people in Bolton develop basic living skills and become independent.

The charity helps people find accommodation and supports them after they have moved into their own place. It helps about 130 people aged between 16 and 25 every year.

“I am delighted Claire is now one of my colleagues at BYPHS as a support worker in our emergency hostel,” said Maura.

For more information about Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme, go to byphs.org.uk or phone 01204 373979.