Graduating from university is always a unique and memorable occasion, but for one family it was extra special this year.
Mother and daughter Helen-Louise and Katrina Winstanley received their degrees together as they graduated from the University of Salford.
The pair, from Liverpool, were in the same ceremony after completing their studies at the Business School.
Mum of seven Helen-Louise, 42, and daughter Katrina 24, got gowned up together for the day. Mum, Helen received a 1st class degree in Business and Management while Katrina has completed a Masters in Marketing, following her first degree in Broadcasting, also from Salford.
Helen, who used to be social worker and had to give up her first degree when she fell pregnant for the first time, said she decided to go back to studying after seeing how Katrina coped. She added: “She came to University first and inspired me to do the same. She was really strong during the whole thing, when I was wavering she kept me going.
“It was amazing to have us both there as we graduated. It’s a great example for the rest of my children. Going through university is something you don’t think you will do once you’ve had kids, but that is not the case. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Having seven kids has not made it easy as I still had to focus on my role as mum, but I made it through.
“It has been a really tough final year on the course but the lecturers were supportive all the way through. They make you realise you can get to the places you want to get.
“When I decided I wanted to go back into education Salford was the only place that would give me an interview. I have never looked back.”
And Helen hasn’t finished studying yet, aspiring to complete a PhD at Salford’s Business and Law School next year and has ambitions to enter the world of academia. She is also the Business and Law representative for Salford Student Union.
Katrina, who attended Up Holland High School and St John Rigby Sixth Form College, is now planning to travel to Thailand to teach and to do charity work for a few years, said: “I’m just so proud of my mum. She has worked so hard for this.
“It makes it extra special to have my mum there with me. Not only that, but lots of other family members are coming to watch the ceremony, including my gran and great grandma. It will be a real family affair.
“I have been working full time for the past year and completing the Masters in my spare time. The course was really informative, it was hard work but was totally worth it. But it will be a relief not to have to study anymore.”
