Activism

Sarah has long campaigned for reform of the benefits system in the UK.

She has supported herself with Universal Credit on and off throughout her adult life, and speaks openly about consistent mishandling of her claims, toxic treatment by Job Centres and punitive practices that are built in to the benefits system. This all came to a head when she was handed to debt collectors by the Department for Work and Pensions in 2018 - while in treatment for cancer - because of a clerical error.

In 2019, Sarah spoke in Parliament alongside Macmillan Cancer Support on these issues, addressing the Secretary of State for the DWP.

Sarah speaking to MPs in Parliament. There are seven people seated at a horseshoe table in a wood panelled room.
Sarah and four other people posing for a photo in front of a banner reading 'All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer'

Sarah works alongside both Bowel Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support as a patron, for example supporting Macmillan's SOS campaign around the UK's nursing crisis.

A tweet from Macmillan Cancer Support. It reads "My nurse has left and I've been told they've not been able to find a replacement for her" Support services for people living with cancer are in crisis. This is Sarah’s story.
A photo of a Macmillan Cancer Support advert on a billboard. It features a photo of Sarah and a quote from her reading "I feel abandoned and really scared for my future."

To raise awareness of the symptoms of Bowel Cancer, Sarah sat on a throne made of loo roll during the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, handing out toilet paper that was emblazoned with a QR code leading to Bowel Cancer UK, who were the charity partner of the show. Read more about it in the Guardian

Sarah has spoken to Freeda about living with a stoma, and collaborated with Baz Wright to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms on social media. Sarah's writing about cancer has also appeared in The Metro and The Telegraph.