Barry Coase, a volunteer with the trust along with his therapy dog Bella, was among 26 exceptional individuals to be honoured with the esteemed British Citizen Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster.
The British Citizen Award recognises and celebrates the outstanding contribution to society by this group of people.
The medal presentation was held on 25 July 2024, where Barry, along with Bella, received the BCA Medal of Honour for Services to Volunteering and Charitable Giving (BCAv).
Barry is a veteran who transitioned to civilian life, despite facing significant physical and mental challenges due to a severe back injury. Barry suffers with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has channelled himself to overcome this and try to change the lives of others.
As a way to deal with his PTSD Barry adopted Bella, a rescue dog. The impact was immediate for both of them, with Bella instinctively knowing when to provide comfort during nightmares and moments of distress. Barry quickly recognised the difference Bella was making to his life, and that she could have a similar effect for others going through trauma themselves. Together they began visited special needs schools and palliative care settings along with coming to the trust and visiting the children’s ward and Emergency Department to provide support to patients and their families. Barry and Bella also volunteer with ‘Combat Stress’ the UK’s leading Veterans mental health charity.
Bella
During the Covid pandemic, Barry was unable to undertake visits and decided to fundraise for the Combat Stress charity, forming ‘Team Bella’, raising money at events such as walking 100 miles, March in March, the Christmas Festival, Brighton and the Eastbourne International Air Show. Barry and Bella are now Ambassadors for Recovery Assistance Dogs UK, a charity that supports people who are living with mental health challenges.
Steve Aumayer, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief People Officer said ‘We are so pleased and proud that Barry has received this prestigious honour. All our volunteers here at the trust are vital in supporting the work we do. A lot of the time they are the first-person patients will see when they walk through the door! We thank every one of them for the time they give up to help the trust and serve their community.’
Congratulations Barry (and Bella!).