Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) and Access the Dales on Friday September 19th 2025 organised a joint initiative for the 20 women from the Sheffield & District African Caribbean Community to offer a life-time railway experience from Skipton to Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales aimed at discovering Wild Ingleborough:
As Debbie North of Access The Dales puts it “It is a Railway Journey to Nature”.

A statement that Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM, CEO, Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) concurs, arguing “That is because there are several opportunities to explore nature in different ways and we need to be innovative in connecting people to nature, however the challenge is funding as these types of activities require cost to take people out to explore and discover nature beyond their home environments”.

This unique train journey day trip thus enabled the women to experience the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway from Skipton to Ribblehead, culminating in a visit to the Wild Ingleborough promoting access to nature with a focus on inclusivity, mental wellbeing, and environmental connection. The journey provided participants with a memorable and enriching experience in the Yorkshire Dales, but in addition it helped to promote wellbeing through time in nature and community connection.

As Debbie explained, the trip further showcased accessible routes and inclusive outdoor activities especially for people from minoritised communities. She noted it was also to inspire confidence in using public transport to access rural nature, encourage positive mental health through time outdoors, but in addition build community and shared experiences between groups.

The women were shown an exhibition of Ribblehead Station and followed by a short history of Ribblehead Station and the construction of Ribblehead Via Duct in 1875 and taken on a short, guided walk to Ribblehead Viaduct led by Jonathan, a volunteer from Access The Dales.

Jamia Masjid Ghousia Madrassa students visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) 25th August 2025

This enriching educational visit was organised in by the Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) in partnership with Jamia Masjid Ghausia. There were 38 students, 6 staff members and 2 education team members. Out of this number, only one staff member has ever visited YSP and none of the pupils have visited.

The students were given guided tour by two members of the YSP Learning Team, where they explored remarkable sculptures created by world-renowned artists. Highlights included William Kentridge’s large-scale, vibrant works, showcasing his move into three-dimensional art forms and the celebrated sculptor Barbara Hepworth, whose iconic piece “The Family of Man” a central feature at the park.

During the guided tour, the students participated in an engaging hands-on creative workshop, where they worked in small groups to sketch and construct their own sculptures. Surrounded by the natural setting, they drew inspiration from the colours, textures, objects found in the environment. The activity not only sparked their imagination and encouraged teamwork but also nurtured their appreciation for sustainability, creativity and the role of the environment in artistic expression. Immersed in this inspiring atmosphere, the students were able to explore their artistic flair while developing a greater awareness of the many benefits the natural world brings to both creativity and well-being.

Mahmood Hussain, Chair of SEM and one of the elders at Firth Park Mosque said, “JMG would like to thank SEM, the parents of our students and the Madrassa staff for their support in making this visit a success”.

The visit was made possible following a meeting SEM held with Kevin Rodd, Interim Director at the YSP last month, to explore ways of partnership working with a view to widening access to groups from minoritised communities with no access to YSP.

Kevin was of view that YSP is surrounded by cities with high populations of people from minoritised communities but with no connection to YSP. Adding “ Our visitors are all but white yet, we have been Winners of Yorkshire Tourist Attraction of the Year Award 2023 and Yorkshire Culture Award 2023”.

At the meeting, SEM CEO, Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM, stressed the importance of the arts as a knowledge-base but said it remains an area of deficit to underprivileged groups who lack the economic opportunity to visit icon tourist attractions. Dr Ayamba noted that pupils from underprivileged schools haven’t the means to experience experiential outdoor learning, because schools are unable to provide such learning opportunities.

He explained that there were lots of minoritised young people interested in pursuing a career in the arts but lacked the foundation that would serve as pathway to a career in the arts. Dr Ayamba said funding remains an obstacle for minoritised charities such as SEM to promote equality of access for community groups to be involved in the arts and hence, views this working partnership with the YSP as the beginning to help facilitate this process.

Image Gallery: Jamia Masjid Ghousia Madrassa Students Yorkshire Sculpture Park Visit