Aspirations for a new start in a new year, 2023 - let’s change lives!

Have you started the year setting goals and aspirations for the year ahead? Every year we renew our promise to help change the lives of children around the world through access to education.

Can you imagine how you would keep in touch with your family and friends or do your work if you didn’t have access to WIFI? Last year we were able to support thousands of children with access to education through the development of digital classrooms and resource centres to provide access to learning resources and training for educators to improve teaching and learning. We will continue this year.



Can you imagine how tired you would be after walking 2 hours to school in the morning? Yet how keen are these children to learn, that they will do this. Last year we provided bicycles in The Gambia to ensure students can travel to school in a safe and timely manor. We are proud of everything we have achieved together, and we will continue this year.



Can you imagine reaching and age when you can no longer go to school every day because of a natural bodily function that you have no support to manage easily? We were able to support thousands of women and girls with training to make reusable period pads and manage menstrual health with dignity and pride so they can continue going to school every day. This has raised awareness of a wider range of issues preventing women and girls from accessing education, so we have been supporting training in gender-based violence education too.



By providing access to education in Cuba, Haiti, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Malawi, Uganda, Guinea Bissau, and many other places around the world we are changing lives together.


Before you launch into your new year plans and resolutions, please support us by sharing this post and the message that education matters.


  • That every child should have access to trained teachers and good quality resources.


  • That no child should miss school because they do not have transport to get to school.


  • That no girl, or young woman should miss school because she has her period.


  • That no woman or girl should ever have to experience gender inequality and gender-based violence.

                 

 

Thank you to all of our supporters, donors, partners, volunteers, ambassadors and staff for everything you did to make this work possible in 2022. With your support today we can provide access to education for thousands more students in 2023. With your support we can reach thousands more women and girls in 2023. 

 

We want to express our thanks and appreciation for your support for this coming year.

 

What a wonderful legacy that would be for every year ahead.

 


Steve Sinnott • January 10, 2023

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.