Being Your Best Self
Jude Tisdall was appointed SSF Ambassador in 2020,
and here she explains why she is passionate about engaging
in the work of The Steve Sinnott Foundation.
I was recently invited to be an ambassador for the work of the
Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF). My initial introduction to the
work of the Foundation was through my friend and neighbour
Ann Beatty, who is its CEO.
One cold Sunday I offered to help Ann at a stall that was giving
information on one of the current SSF projects, Positive Periods.
Girls and young women can miss up to 50 days a year from
school because they do not have any sanitary protection. There
are many situations and conditions that exclude young women
from education but until I became involved with the SSF this
particular one had never crossed my mind. The amount of
people that showed interest not only in that project, but other
work of the Foundation, was exciting and heartening.
I then went along - again to help with a stall - to the International
Solidarity Conference held March 2020 in central London.
I met many people involved with enabling access to education
worldwide. At the workshop given by Ann about the work of
SSF I was excited by the support and enthusiasm from the
audience. Lots of things were discussed, including practical
ways of making education and learning accessible. One idea
was to send bicycles to The Gambia and in the wonderful
serendipitous way of the world, there was someone in the
audience whose brother had an import business for bicycles
and a repair shop in The Gambia! Within a very short time there
was a conversation about the the cost of a bicycle ( 85) and
how we could roll out something across schools in the UK to
sponsor a bike. There was a discussion about the number of
bikes that could be provided and even discussion about an
apprentice scheme where people could be trained to repair
bikes , which in turn could create jobs. The immediate ideas
and brainstorming about just this one thing that would enable
physical access to a learning centre was amazing and inspiring.
My own background is as an educator and facilitator across a
wide range of arts related programmes. I was deputy principal
at one of the UK’s leading drama schools for many years. My
role included pastoral responsibility for students and staff.
I contributed to the teaching programme on MA courses and
developed degree courses at BA and MA level. Although semiretired
now, I act as a mentor for new graduates, helping to
bridge the gap between education and employment. I run
workshops around confidence and presentation skills. I am
also an Alexander Technique tutor and I believe passionately in
the power of education and learning, that is education in the
very broadest sense. There are so many ways to learn and
develop once the conditions are supportive and sustainable.
So if I was to tease out what I meant by that I would say that
to have access to learning in an atmosphere of support and
understanding where there is no fear; no fear of it not being
available tomorrow, no fear of not getting it right; to be in an
atmosphere that is creative and structured and where there
is an understanding that we all learn in different ways. To be
rooted in your own place and space; in your own culture and in
that environment to have the opportunity to develop the skills
that allow you to be your best self.
I am excited to be part of the SSF family and look forward to
being able to support their ongoing projects and help them
develop new ones. Each project sharing the same purpose, this
being to make education available to all and thereby empower
young people around the world, especially young women and
girls, to be their brilliant and best selves.
From Engage issue 20.
JUDE TISDALL • December 15, 2021
In our continued commitment to ensuring quality and inclusive education for every child, we’ve taken our advocacy to a new level by empowering the next generation to lead the conversation. In partnership with The Gambia Teachers Union, we recently convened the Foundation’s Young Ambassadors for a vibrant day of engagement dedicated to promoting the right to education for all. The event brought together passionate students from selected senior secondary schools across Region One, including St. John’s School for the Deaf, to explore what it truly means to make education inclusive, equitable, and accessible to every learner.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is proud to celebrate the inspirational winners of the 2025 Seeds of Hope for a Better Future competition, a global initiative supported by UNESCO that brings together creativity, community, and a shared commitment to peace and sustainability. This unique project invited schools across the world from nursery and primary through to secondary and high school to explore the values of peace, cultural understanding, and care for the planet. In the face of climate change, young people were asked to tell their stories through art, performance, and digital creativity, highlighting how small seeds of action can grow into powerful movements for hope. The results have been extraordinary. Schools in France, the UK, Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, with projects ranging from community gardens and sculptures to dance performances and illustrated stories. Each winner has shown how young voices and imagination can nurture peace and sustainability in ways that inspire us all. The full Awards Ceremony can be watched linked here: S eeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 Highlights from the Winners Oak View Primary and Nursery School (UK) created Faces of Feeling, a collection of joyful sculptures already exhibited in a local gallery. Judges praised their work as supporting the wellbeing of others and embodying the idea of children as true “Seeds of Hope.” St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School (Gambia) painted Campaign for a Sustainable Banjul , reflecting real-world climate action in their city. The judges described it as “a most deserving and robust winner.” In France , the Jardin d'Enfants des Nations Unies (United Nations Nursery School) won hearts with Wind of Peace , where 5-6 year olds combined drawings, paintings, and tree planting to champion reforestation. Lyng Hall Secondary School, Coventry (UK) collaborated with Henley Green Primary and the UK Literacy Association to produce The Heart Shaped Hole – an innovative and metaphorical take on Seeds of Hope. Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry (UK) impressed with Primary Plot , a project that included gardening with the visually impaired, reflecting inclusivity and sustainability. A remarkable cross-collaboration between 21 schools across West Yorkshire, Essex, and Tower Hamlets (UK) resulted in Lights, Camera, Score , an ambitious combination of animation, music, and storytelling. CIMA Community School of Hope, Haiti shared Konbit - a video of dance and solidarity, inspiring villages to work together for peace and dignity. Daraja Academy, Kenya presented an ambitious and optimistic project integrating sustainability into everyday school life. Celebrating Creativity and Peace This year’s competition was judged by an impressive panel of artists, writers, and cultural leaders including Sir Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Dame Liz Forgan, Hugh Quarshie, and Rathna Ramanathan. Their collective expertise highlighted the quality and depth of the entries, each of which showed how art can be a powerful tool for global understanding and change. The Seeds of Hope initiative is part of UNESCO UK’s Arts and Culture for Peace programme, first launched in 2022. It has grown from earlier collaborations such as the Coventry Young Ambassadors’ Islands of Peace Japanese Garden , opened in 2021 a living reminder that seeds planted in communities can continue to flourish. Highlights from the ceremony can be found here at this playlist Looking Ahead As Ann Beatty, UNESCO ASPnet UK National Coordinator , shared: “The quality of entries was extraordinary. We are delighted at the response to this amazing initiative in collaboration with our international partners.” And in the words of judge Jannette Cheong : “Young people around the world understand well the value of peace and tolerant relationships between cultures. Their creativity is an inspiration to all of us.” At The Steve Sinnott Foundation, we believe that education is the seed from which hope grows. The Seeds of Hope competition is a shining example of how young people through creativity, compassion, and collaboration are already shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future. You can access the full online awards presentation here: Seeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025
The journey to strengthen the well-being and success of learners in The Gambia continues with a renewed commitment to guidance and counselling in schools. By August 14th 2025, we have successfully trained 140 educators across 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 & 𝟒 under our Guidance & Counselling Programme. A programme designed to equip educators with the skills to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Region 3 Teachers Complete Level 2 Training On Wednesday, 6th August, thirty teachers from Region 3 (North Bank Region) began a three-day Level 2 Guidance and Counselling training at the Christian Council in Kanifing. This programme built on their earlier Level 1 training in Farafenni, with a focus on deepening their capacity to serve as school-based counsellors. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the teachers’ commitment and marking an important step in their professional development. These certificates symbolize more than an achievement; they represent each teacher’s readiness to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and mentorship to learners across their schools.
