A TEENAGER who left school at the age of 12 to care for her dying mother has returned to the classroom - as a training adviser.

Stephanie Hill, 19, from Middleton, near Rochdale, landed the job with the Rathbone charity in Oldham.

She will help some of the region's most troubled youngsters overcome personal obstacles to find work or progress in education, just as the charity helped her.

And so impressed are her new employers that Stephanie has been named as Rathbone's `Entry to Employment Achiever of the Year'.

Stephanie first approached Rathbone in February last year, and the charity helped her turn her life around.

In 18 months she went from a teen with an uncertain future to being appointed a training adviser at the charity.

Along the way she gained employment at a major retailer and as a receptionist at the charity's Oldham base, picking up the confidence and skills to succeed in her new job.

Now she's planning to take a teaching degree at Huddersfield University.

Candice Langley, manager of Rathbone's Oldham centre, said: "Within days of her appointment, she began to get through to the young people.

"One young person in particular, who had problems controlling his temper, has responded to her soft and caring approach and is progressing on to a career as a plumber.

"Stephanie never stops caring about young people. From the minute she joined the team she became a mentor for those who had problems.

"She even gives up her spare time to encourage youngsters get involved in looking after the environment.

"She is a truly remarkable young person and an inspiration to all those who want to make a better future for themselves."

Tweet