Note from the author. ESEA Outdoors UK started off as a question: is there anyone else that looks like me out there in the outdoors? In our first full year of existence, we have shown that we can build a community of ESEA people in the outdoors, and that our representation matters to our members and to society. We can only capture a fraction of this joy in numbers and words. I hope that, while reading this impact report, you will agree that it is not an understatement to say that we have transformed members’ lives.

ESEA Outdoors UK is a community connecting East & Southeast Asian outdoor enthusiasts across the UK, celebrating our representation and fighting racism.

What members say…

Throughout the weekend, I could finally stop searching, to stop thinking I was the problem. That there was somewhere I could finally let my guard down, somewhere I belonged. That I didn’t have to mould myself into places that didn’t have a space (after our October Lake District trip)

Up on these familiar fells where I find solace, I realise that only by tackling our underrepresentation have I finally gained a sense of belonging here. (after Great Lakeland 3 Day)

When you see 14 others that look like you in a field of 800, you feel less out of place.

Every time I come to the fells I absorb casually racist remarks; I’ve developed resilience, but it still hurts. This weekend, in a group, it feels safe, like I could put my guard down for a bit.

There is great value in braving the wild. But sometimes, it gets isolating. You long for familiarity. And so you seek comfort in shared values and cultures in a space so integral to your identity. (after our October Lake District trip)

It is a wonderful thing to celebrate the rich diversity and histories among the ESEA community. Many of us have roots around the globe, being part of families who have migrated far and wide for myriad reasons. Some of us have moved from our homelands, some of us never knew our homelands. (after our Roots/Routes walk in Walthamstow for ESEA Heritage Month)

…It really highlighted the necessity of groups like ours [after] coming across a few occasions of racism and microaggressions. (after our October trip to YHA Cheddar)

I grew up on a mountain; thousands of miles away, I feel like I’m home yet again. (after Great Lakeland 3 Day)

Thank you to…

💛… our amazing volunteers, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to bring ESEA joy into communities around the UK: Clara, Ingrina, Jess, Robin (London), Alix (Glasgow), Tong, Ebony, Sam (Liverpool), Kelly (Manchester), Hong (Sheffield), Tamara (Northampton).

💛… all our members for engaging and believing, without whom ESEA Outdoors would simply not exist.

💛… our funders, partners and collaborators, without whom many events would have never been possible:

• Lake District Foundation for fully funding our trip to the North Lakes (check it out!)
• YHA Outdoor Citizens for fully funding our trip to YHA Cheddar (check it out!)
• Alpkit Foundation for funding numerous regular climb socials (including at Yonder).
• British ESEA Network for funding several of our ESEA Heritage Month events (including one joint with Every Body Outdoors and London National Park City).
• Slow Ways for funding a multi-day adventure.
• Ourea Events for giving funded places to Great Lakeland 3 Day.
• Heylo for providing and supporting our community online platform.
• All The Elements who, alongside their core support, platformed our panel at Timber Festival, the first ever all-ESEA outdoors panel.

2024 Facts

Members

In mid-2023, ESEA Outdoors started out as just one member, and in the first few months, we were finding our feet. As of end of 2024, our 150 members (according to our online platform, Heylo) were geographically distributed around the UK with sub-communities, as of 2024, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, London, Sheffield and Bristol. We’re constantly expanding to new areas where members exist and need your help!

Above: community members on the ESEA Outdoors map

Events

In 2024 our volunteers ran a total of 19 official events with a total of 169 check-ins, alongside countless informal meetups. Our events included group walks, climbing socials, fully-funded weekends away, and funded festival and event places, and were spread right across the UK, with locations including central Scotland, North Wales, the Lake District and Peak District, London, Manchester and many more!

Above: community meetups on the ESEA Outdoors map

Each one of these check-ins is a direct instance of our members changing and challenging the face of the outdoors. While our numerous local events built community and empowered members in specific locations, our bigger events also strengthened our network and formed friendships across locations and previously isolated communities. We also had a wider impact on our diaspora. A high proportion of our social media following consists of members of the ESEA diaspora. Seeing our project success will inspire them to try the outdoors next time, breaking barriers in confidence and lack of belonging.

Looking ahead

ESEA Outdoors’ success reflects the commitment and passion of all of our members and volunteers, and the support of organisations who have supported or funded us. The start of 2025 has already seen numerous more activities and we have so much more in the works!

Want to partner with us?

Could your organisation support us in improving diversity in the outdoors and providing more opportunities for the ESEA community? Inspired by the above? Get in touch via email or DM!

Community groups exist to create safe spaces. They exist to support people in accessing the outdoors. They exist to rebel. To challenge the status quo. (ESEA Outdoors member)