“Our job is to give young people hope, opportunity, and belief in themselves.”

In this Deep Dive episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, we sit down with Maura Jackson, Former Chief Executive of Backup North West, for an honest, eye-opening conversation about youth homelessness, resilience, and what it truly means to lead with purpose.

Maura’s journey is anything but conventional. From growing up in a challenging household and becoming a teenage mother, to leading one of the UK’s most impactful youth homelessness charities, her story is one of determination, compassion, and unwavering belief in people.

Across this episode, Maura shares the realities facing young people today, from family breakdowns and mental health challenges to exploitation and homelessness and challenges the damaging stereotypes often attached to them.

We also explore:

• What young people really need from society

• The hidden impact of domestic abuse and homelessness

• The realities of leadership in the charity sector

• Why self-care is essential (and often ignored) •

How Maura accidentally became a comedian later in life

Watch Maura’s full story here via our YouTube channel.