From launching a parents’ group in Barnsley to volunteering, Julia Jones has dedicated her life to lifting others.

In the early morning, long before the school bell rings, Julia Jones is already up, preparing for another packed day. Julia’s world is whole as a part-time primary school teacher, mother of four, and volunteer. But that hasn’t stopped her from improving her community in meaningful and lasting ways.

Two decades ago, Julia received the news that would change everything: she was pregnant with twins.

“It was an immense shock,” she recalls.

At the time, Julia quickly realised that support for families with twins and multiple children was severely lacking in her Barnsley community. As she juggled the chaos of double feeds, double nappies and sleepless nights, she knew other parents must feel the same.

“I spoke to a health visitor about the lack of twin clubs in the area,” Julia says. “Because it’s quite a specific thing when you have twins, the level of poverty you’d like to avoid. I asked her how we could set one up, as I’m happy to help out.”

Julia’s husband immediately worried about the future. “My husband was panicking about the university fees,” she says.

According to Twins Trust, families with multiple children experience an average decline in income of £12,500, approximately 15% of their household income, between the year of pregnancy and the first year after birth. This impact is consistent across England, Scotland and Wales.

‘The More The Merrier’

But instead of retreating under the weight of it all, Julia acted. She founded The More The Merrier, a community space for local parents facing the same challenges.

At first, the group met in person. “When it was a newer club, we worked hard. I applied for some community funding, and we managed to subsidise a trip with the bus to go to Sundown,” Julia says.

Over time, the club’s impact grew. Several members trained to become breastfeeding support workers, offering specialist peer help. The group partnered with local hospitals to deliver antenatal advice tailored to parents expecting twins.

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The club eventually became registered with the Twins Trust (formerly TAMBA, Twins and Multiple Births Association), the UK’s leading charity for families with multiples. One of its chief executives even visited them once in Barnsley.

“He came from London,” Julia remembers. “Especially for our meeting, and he was blown away by what we were doing.”

The club continues online, allowing parents to stay connected even as in-person meetups become harder to coordinate. 

“Various people took it over and worked with different venues… but eventually it became quite difficult to get people to commit to lead it,” she says.

Julia knows firsthand how demanding parenting twins can be. 

“Setting up the twins club meant that it was a commitment, even when you have small children yourself, are on maternity leave, and don’t have that much spare time,” Julia says. “You often get people doing a similar job on a paid basis.”

Despite the club’s changes in operation, its impact remains. Families who once felt isolated have found solidarity, guidance, and friendship, thanks to one woman who filled a need.

Related: The volunteers keeping community centres alive

Volunteering for over 20 times

But Julia’s kindness didn’t end there.

She volunteered more than 20 times at events such as the Paralympics, the Rugby World Cup, and the World Police and Fire Games. She often sets aside one or two weeks each summer to help out.

“I was very fortunate my family backed me up, and the children understood that it was essential to do,” Julia says. “Volunteering opened up my world.”

Her first taste of volunteering was at the London 2012 Paralympics.

“I just had the best experience. It was life-changing, amazing, and fabulous,” Julia says.

She recalls a humorous moment while waiting to open the gates.

“All lined up with ticket scanners, we had a pause waiting for security clearance. So we decided to do a Mexican wave, jolly ourselves along and cheer up all the customers. It got to me, and I started it off, and it was a big ‘woo’, threw my arms in the air, and lobbed my scanner into the water!”

Julia says that volunteering has become an integral part of her identity. “It’s about being altruistic, thinking about other people, and working for a greater good.”

And sometimes, it even brings unexpected joy.

“There’s great payback. Sometimes, I get to do things that I would never be able to pay to do. I volunteered for the Women’s Euros, and we were at Bramall Lane. They asked us to stand in for the camera rehearsal, playing the role of the England football team. I’m never going to play for them, but to stand there and chant, sing the national anthem, was special.”

Through her twin club, her classroom, and her tireless volunteer work, Julia Jones shows that when you give your time, your heart, and your effort, even the smallest acts of kindness can create lasting change in the lives of others.