Brackmills Hero: Meet Sarah Steers
Sarah Steers from Wickes champions community spirit through environmental action
When Sarah joined Wickes on Brackmills Industrial Estate in mid-2020, she brought with her a lifelong passion for the environment and a determination to make a difference in her local community. What started as a wellbeing initiative during Mental Health Week has blossomed into one of the estate’s most popular annual events.
Sarah’s journey began with a simple idea during the pandemic restrictions of 2022. “I wanted to encourage our colleagues to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise whilst doing something for the community,” she explains. That first litter pick drew 45 participants, including Wickes Wellbeing Ambassador Jeff Brazier, who joined the team for an hour-long clean-up along Salthouse Road and Rhosili Road.
The response was overwhelming. Colleagues wanted more, leading Sarah to organise litter picks twice yearly. By 2024, she had expanded her vision significantly, partnering with Brackmills BID to create the Brackmills BIG litter pick. Working alongside the Northants Litter Wombles and numerous companies across the estate, Sarah helped establish what has become an annual fixture in the BID’s activities calendar. Sarah says:
Initiatives like this give colleagues a huge sense of achievement and pride in their local surroundings whilst improving physical and mental health. It creates better teamwork and bonds staff to make them work better together.
Sarah’s commitment extends beyond litter picking. She’s passionate about the BID’s partnership with Aquarius Life, recently arranging upskilling sessions on drink, drug and gambling awareness for her Wickes colleagues. She’s particularly proud of ensuring night shift workers aren’t forgotten, securing dedicated sessions for them too.
Looking ahead, Sarah has ambitious ideas for the estate, including a mentoring scheme connecting young professionals with experienced individuals across different fields. As a Fellow of IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) with 25 years’ experience, she knows firsthand the value of professional guidance.
“In my early career, I could have benefited from someone doing this for me,” she reflects. “After achieving Fellowship of IOSH in November, I find it hugely rewarding to mentor others.”
Being recognised as a Brackmills Hero came as an unexpected surprise. “I didn’t expect to be thanked for organising something that I was passionate about and enjoyed doing, but it is wonderful to be recognised,” Sarah says.
Through her dedication to environmental action, colleague wellbeing and community spirit, Sarah exemplifies what makes Brackmills Industrial Estate more than just a place of work – it’s a thriving community where people genuinely care about making a difference.
