The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, announced as Patron of AtaLoss
Author: Adam May
Date: 3rd October, 2025
Overview: The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, has become a Patron of UK bereavement charity AtaLoss. She brings significant national leadership experience in bereavement.
AtaLoss, the UK’s national bereavement charity providing bereavement awareness, signposting and community support, is delighted to announce that the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, has become a Patron of the charity.
AtaLoss’ vision is for a society that recognises the various ways in which bereavement can impact, and where timely and effective support is available to all, enabling healthier grieving and fostering improved wellbeing across communities. As Bishop Sarah wrote in her introduction to the 2022 UK Commission on Bereavement report Bereavement is Everyone’s Business (in which AtaLoss is referenced), by making grief a “taboo” – something to be feared and locked away - we make it all the harder to understand our loss and support each other through it. AtaLoss is determined to tackle this by breaking down barriers around grief,raising awareness of bereavement issues, and ensuring that people across the UK can find the right help to overcome their challenges.
Bishop Sarah brings significant national leadership experience in bereavement, health and social care. Between 1999 to 2004, she was Chief Nursing Officer for England and the National Health Service's director of patient experience for England. She currently serves as Chair of the UK Commission on Bereavement, which highlighted the urgent need for accessible, non-clinical support for the millions affected by loss each year. In addition, as the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Health and Social Care in the House of Lords, she has been a consistent advocate for the wellbeing of people and communities facing profound challenges.
Speaking of her new role as Patron, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullaly said:
“Having long admired the work of AtaLoss, I am thrilled to be joining as its Patron. Its vision of a society in which grieving people are fully supported and given the tools they need to deal with a death is one which we can all get behind, and one which I know they are working tirelessly to bring about. I know from personal experience, not just as a priest but as a nurse, that too often people feel they are alone in their grief.
The work of charities like AtaLoss is so vital to ensure bereaved people know they are not alone, that there are resources out there for those that need it. It is an honour to join Yvonne and the team in furthering this mission.”
Welcoming the appointment, Yvonne Tulloch, Founder and Chief Executive of AtaLoss, added:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bishop Sarah as Patron. Her leadership as Chair of the UK Commission on Bereavement and as the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Health and Social Care in the House of Lords gives her unique authority and insight into the challenges bereaved people face.
She has been a strong advocate for ensuring bereavement is recognised as a pressing public health issue, and we are honoured that she has chosen to support AtaLoss in our mission to ensure that no one in the UK faces bereavement without the help they need.”
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AtaLoss is a UK wide charity helping bereaved people find support and wellbeing, by raising awareness about the impact of bereavement, directing to help through the signposting website AtaLoss.org, and training and equipping community support, including supporting through The Bereavement Journey® programme.
Yvonne is available by prior arrangement to welcome this appointment.
Media interviews can be arranged via WhatsApp message to Adam May on 07736 949 869 or press@ataloss.org