Turning adversity into advocacy: Meet Julia Darby, mdeducational foundation Ambassador

At mdeducational foundation, we believe that the most powerful advocates for student wellbeing are those who understand its importance on a deeply personal level. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newest Ambassador, Julia Darby.

Julia’s journey – from facing mental health struggles during her school years to working in a high-pressure role with Thames Valley Police – is a testament to resilience, growth and determination. Shaped by her own experiences, Julia is now using her voice to support students who may be navigating similar challenges, offering empathy, encouragement and hope.

In this blog, Julia shares why she joined mdeducational foundation, how her background has shaped her passion for mental health advocacy and what she hopes to achieve in her role as an ambassador.

Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to becoming an ambassador for mdeducational foundation?

“My name is Julia, and I’m currently 23 years old. I work as a Forensic Multimedia Officer for Thames Valley Police, a role that involves attending crime scenes and creating digital court presentations. Through my work, I help deliver justice for victims of crime, and my main goal every day is to make a difference by helping others.

I grew up in Sheffield and lived there my whole life until two years ago, when I moved to Oxfordshire for work. Back home, I have an older brother named Luke, who has severe brain damage and is on the autistic spectrum. While I love my brother with all my heart, growing up with a sibling who has special needs had a significant impact on my upbringing and mental health. I often had to navigate the world on my own, which was incredibly challenging.

During secondary school, it became clear that I was really struggling with my mental health. The pressure of schoolwork and exams only made things feel more overwhelming and isolating.

One of the main reasons I wanted to partner with the mdeducational foundation is because of my own experience with mental health challenges during that time. The resources the foundation provides would have made a huge difference for me—and I know they can help many others in similar situations. Without the support of my sixth form, I likely wouldn’t have gone on to university or found my way into the job I now love.

I’m truly proud to be an ambassador for the mdeducational foundation, and I wholeheartedly believe in their mission and values.”

Can you share a story that highlights your connection to mdeducational foundation?

“I’ve always been passionate about giving back to my community and supporting the next generation, which is why becoming an ambassador for the mdeducational foundation really appealed to me. I first learned about the foundation through LinkedIn, when Deirdre reached out after hearing my story. She thought I might be interested in supporting others through this role. After speaking with her and learning more about the incredible work the foundation does for schools and students, I knew I had to get involved.”

What does your role as an ambassador entail?

“My role will focus on promoting and supporting the foundation within the limits of my current commitments. I hope to visit some of the schools, funded by mdeducational foundation, to meet students, share my experiences, and offer advice that has helped me along the way. I also plan to use social media to advocate for and promote the incredible initiatives and programmes the foundation provides, helping to ensure students receive the support they need.”

What do you hope to get from this role?

“In this role, I aim to be a friendly face and a listening ear for students, as I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day struggles they face. By being open and actively involved in the ambassador programme, I hope to better connect with the community I work every day to protect. Ultimately, I’ll be happy even if I only manage to help one student—because that’s one more student back on track toward their future than there was yesterday.”

What support has been offered to you as an ambassador for mdeducational foundation?

“The mdeducational foundation has been incredibly welcoming. Deirdre personally reached out to me and arranged a call to discuss the team’s work and their goals for the future. I was given a detailed presentation outlining the various benefits the foundation offers and the people these initiatives are designed to support. After learning more about what mdeducational foundation stands for, I knew I had to get involved!”

Do you have a favourite personal wellbeing tip you can share with us?

“I’m constantly learning new ways to cope with the mental health challenges I face.

Through speaking with a therapist, I realised I was often focusing too much on the negatives and the “what ifs.” One technique she suggested was to, each night before bed, make a list—either in my head or on paper—of the positive things I have in my life right now, and/or the struggles I’ve already overcome to get to where I am today.

This simple habit has really helped put things into perspective. When my mind tells me “everything is going wrong” or “I don’t know how I’m going to get through another setback like this,” I remind myself that I have made it through setbacks like this before. In fact, I’ve made it through worse—and I’m still here. Even better, I’m not just surviving—I’m happy, and I’m thriving in both my career and personal life. All of this is more than I ever imagined for myself when I was 18.”

Thank you Julia for the interview and welcome to the team! We can’t wait to continue creating a brighter future for our young people together!

Championing student wellbeing together with mdeducational foundation

Julia’s story reminds us that even the most difficult experiences can become a source of strength – and that no student should feel alone on their journey. We’re proud to have her as part of our growing Ambassador community, supporting students across the UK and Ireland through lived experience, advocacy and connection.

The mdeducational foundation Ambassador Programme was launched to help amplify our mission and connect with more young people, educators and communities through advocacy and collaboration. Our Ambassadors are passionate individuals who share our commitment to improving student mental health and wellbeing – and Julia is a brilliant example of that in action.

If you’ve been inspired by Julia’s story and want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Visit Our Ambassadors page to learn more about joining our mission, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date with our work.

Let’s keep prioritising student wellbeing, together.