'Fantastic acknowledgement' for Clinical Psychology and Counselling specialist

9 January 2024

A Clinical Psychology and Counselling specialist at Velindre Cancer Centre has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List 2024.

The dedication and commitment of Sarah Bull, a Counsellor in the Clinical Psychology team at Velindre Cancer Centre, have been recognised with the award of a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to palliative care.

The BEM, one of the New Year Honours to recognise the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, is awarded to those who have had a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community that has made a significant difference. 

Dr Caroline Coffey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Velindre Cancer Centre, said:

“We are delighted to have Sarah join our team with her extensive experience in cancer and palliative care. This recent award of a BEM is a fantastic acknowledgement of her hard work and dedication over the years.”

Sarah previously worked at Velindre from 1998 until 2005 as occupational and physiotherapy technical support. She left to work at City Hospice as a counsellor and the Head of Bereavement Services, and came full circle to re-join the team at Velindre Cancer Centre at the end of 2023.

Among many achievements in Sarah's career is a professional counselling service she established in 2005 for patients and family members supported by City Hospice (previously known as George Thomas Trust). This included supporting children and young people of patients preparing for end-of-life care.

Sarah was also successful in a 2007 application for a Children in Need grant to set up a children and young people’s bereavement group in a collaborative partnership with Velindre Cancer Centre. This important support group ran for 13 years helping many children and teenagers to be able to express their feelings on loss and providing an invaluable opportunity for bereaved children to meet other children in a similar situation.