Maxwell Visits Bank End Academy School

SEM’s CEO Maxwell Ayamba was among a number of guests invited to speak at a careers day event organised by Bank End Primary Academy School on 30th November 2023.

Maxwell speaking to Bank End Primary Academy school pupils.

The school pupils were interested in the environment and how they can take action in times of climate change but also how to pursue a career in the environment. The pupils asked Maxwell how he got into the environmental sector and what motivated him to speak about the environment.

Being a predominantly white school, the pupils were excited to see a Black man working to raise awareness about the environment in a sector that is all white, and were curious about the work SEM does to engage young people into the environmental sector.

SEM supports ROSHNI

SEM is supporting the South East Asian Community Organisation ROSHNI with outdoor gear and equipment to facilitate and promote the culture of walking among women who though are keen to walk in the countryside and green spaces but find it difficult due to financial constraints.

SEM’s CEO, Maxwell Ayamba with a ROSHNI representative last week Friday November 24th 2023 in the front of the SEM office presenting her with walking boots and clothing etc.
SEM’s CEO, Maxwell Ayamba presenting a ROSHNI representative with walking boots and clothing

Maxwell said, “Although there’s a drive to promote the Government’s Green Social Prescribing initiative of people being involved in activities in the outdoors with the view to improve health and wellbeing, especially their mental health, nonetheless, people from ethnic communities are unable to participate in green activities without the proper outdoor gear or kit.

He noted that it’s one thing advocating and sign posting people by GPs to undertake green activities but there also the resource issue. Maxwell argued that it is easy for people who are privileged not to see this as a barrier however, it is a serious structural constraint among the groups we work with especially considering elements of the weather. He went on to explain that not until these structural barriers are addressed access to our Natural Health Service as he describes it will become exactly the same as faced by ethnic minorities regarding our National Health Service.

The ROSHNI representative said most of their clients struggle to get descent outdoor gear and kit which militates against venturing into the greater outdoor spaces or ability to participate in gardening. She said; “SEM has been supporting ROSHNI to facilitate the exposure and engagement of its clients to access green spaces and the countryside”. She cited, for example, how the women who had participated in residential weekends organised by SEM have not stopped talking about their first lived experiences attending a residential since arrival in this country staying in Youth Hostels at Lose Hill Hall in the Peak District National Park and the Lea Green Centre, Matlock.

ITV Calendar News September 20th 2023

ITV Calendar News September 20th 2023

Maxwell Ayamba SEM Founder & CEO was interviewed on ITV Calendar News on Wednesday September 20th 2023 in connection with a story about the Ramblers’ report about access to decent walking paths – they’re calling on the the Government to invest an additional £650 million of funding annually to provide more access to nature for those who don’t currently enjoy it.

Maxwell was asked; why is it difficult for people from ethnic minority backgrounds to access the countryside, what challenges do people face, and what can be done to encourage more people to get into walking?