Viewers may have found themselves doing a double take when they spotted a familiar Bolton face on the prime time television.
Maura Jackson CEO of Bolton based charity Backup North West, a homeless service for young people, appeared on the Channel 4 series Naked Education.
Maura, 52, was featured in the episode, which can be seen on More4, discussing menopause and bodies.
The series is billed as an "innovative way" of educating people about bodies and the differences between them over people’s lives.
The series explores subjects including mastectomies, body dysmorphia, transgender, body hair, aging and much more.
It is underpinned by promoting all body positivity and trying to normalise differences, removing, and reducing the judgemental and damaging stereotyping.
Maura says she has been experiencing menopause symptoms for almost two years wanted to take part to share her experiences.
She said: “No-one tells you what’s happening, no two experiences are identical and there are up to 60 potential symptoms all that could be dismissed as something else including mood swings, weight gain, anxiety, itchy skin, memory loss and so on.
“But for me it’s been hair loss on my head (female baldness) migraines and restless legs and more recently brain fog.
“I also know that nothing to do with the menopause I am overweight, a yoyo dieter, I am a size 24, some women might see that as something to be ashamed of and it isn’t.
“I know losing weight would be healthier for me, but this is who I am, and I do not deserved to be judged by that.
“So, I was hoping it would enable other women to think the same and tackle stereotypes about 'fat' people.
“My body shape and size shouldn’t hold me back and it doesn’t. I just won Bolton Business Women Awards, Woman of the Year on April 22."
She added: “I met two other incredible women on the show and we three discussed openly the menopause, our different experiences and what changes our bodies have had as a result.
“I also loved the wider concept of promoting body positivity as it is an issue they see at Backup with young women and men all the time.
“Young people in our accommodation and support services are prioritising image over food.
“They are so pressured by peers and media to look a certain way that isn’t always natural, healthy or affordable.
“This isn’t exclusive to young people in crisis it’s a national epidemic.
“Feeling good about yourself shouldn’t be based on looks, weight or shape.
“It should be about health, wellbeing and purpose.
“The TV team have offered emotional and psychological support before during and after filming.
"The very fact that they put this in place for us all and had to consider negative reactions from trolls/public/social media and the impact that may have on our wellbeing speaks volumes and that’s precisely why the programme is ground-breaking.
“If people think a size 24 woman or anyone else in underwear talking about the physiology of their own body is offensive or obscene, let them, even though they have no right.
“They have a body too, no-one is perfect. Having a body that functions in certain ways, faces challenges, becomes ill, gets injured etc is the one absolute thing we all have in common.
“Who has energy to waste on whether they are too fat, too thin, have scars, baldness or anything that makes them look or feel different?
“Life is for living. Every body has beauty and potential for greatness. It’s what we do and say that counts not what we look like.”
Speaking about the response since the show aired, Maura said her grandson teared up when he saw her on the screen.
She said: “The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We filmed last October so it’s been a long wait.
“People have commented that they think I am brave and inspirational, but I don’t feel like that.
“I just think I am strong enough to speak out and that enables the conversation to become normalised.
“I don’t care about people’s perceptions of my weight or personal appearance.
“I feel secure enough in myself. But that’s not for ego - I knew it could help others.
“Others who fear the critics or whose worst critic is themselves.
“Lots of people have resonated with the symptoms and experience of menopause but the other issues raised in the programme too.
“My family are proud of me. Although they also think I’m as mad as a box of frogs for doing it.
“I think the show has been ground-breaking in supporting mental health and well-being for so many - I’m honoured to have been part of it.
“My 6-year-old grandson teared up when he saw me on TV. But then asked where my clothes were?”
If you missed the show, head over to All4 to catch up and Maura is in episode five.
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