Devon Diamond: Sarah Rickard

Devon Diamond: Sarah Rickard

Our 23rd Devon Diamond is Sarah Rickard, who has been active during the pandemic in bringing children in the community together to enjoy nature and learn about growing and seed sowing. 

"My name is Sarah Rickard, and over the covid lockdown, I invited my son's friends from the street over to spend time developing a driveway garden with them after they took an interest in what I was growing and seed sowing. We began sowing seeds together, working on large planters of veggies and flowers, and enjoying creating floral pots to gift to their parents and friends. It began on chilly winter days when they wanted to see what seed packets I had, and which they recognised, and then assisting with planting some potatoes in sacks, and the utter glee whenever they came over to check on them and hearing them asking for more tasks to help with, opened up an opportunity I knew I could support them with. We arranged a day each week they could visit me in the front driveway and played with natural materials and grew an abundance of things. They enjoyed learning relevant skills, working as a team, and shining bright as they quizzed me about nature, growing, and the importance of such things as soil science and pollinators. These children found an unlikely love in growing things and recognising the stages of gardening and how enriching it can be and being able to harvest their own goodies and play at using flower heads for crafts and art projects brought so much joy."

"Now I also enjoy painting out and about with our community when we have community events and discussing the wonderful mental health benefits of art and creativity."

Find out more about empowering enterprise project here.

why do you love devon?

"I love learning about the people in my neighbourhood, hearing their stories, and laughing with them as we navigate our lives.  I try to live life as an encourager."

Nominate your devon diamonds

Each week during our 60th anniversary year we will be sharing a story, profile or memory from one or more of our 'Devon Diamonds'. Devon Communities Together's Devon Diamonds are people who have played a part in our story since 1961. They could be ex (or current!) employees or trustees, people who have achieved amazing things in their own communities, representatives from partner organisations we've worked with over the years, village hall committee members, Councillors, and more ... the list is endless! 

We plan to create 60 Devon Diamonds throughout the year! If you know of somebody who would make a great Devon Diamond profile, please get in touch by calling 01392 248919 or emailing info@devoncommunities.org.uk.