Change Makers Speak Out challenge – still time to get involved

We are inviting young people to use their creativity to design an ideal day of learning. Please join us and submit artwork and responses by the 1st of March 2023. There is still time to get involved!



Sign up to the Change Makers Challenge


To support this challenge we have made a free resource to support educators in encouraging young people to get involved in shaping the future of education. Young people’s voices matter and they must be heard on the issues that impact their lives, their communities and their world.


Change Makers Resource


This resource encourages discussion on many topics. Asking young people education is, what makes it fair, accessible, fun, and useful, asking questions on a global scale, will generate exciting discussions to open up the possibilities for the future.

 

Our last edition of Engage focused on this question: “Globally are our current education systems and curricula best suited for life in tomorrow’s world?”. Education must transform in order to overcome the barriers to education that we are facing worldwide. The resource points to a range of current discussions about how education can change.

 

All of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals hinge on education to drive their success. Education is at the heart of tackling climate change, poverty, gender equality, equity and inclusion. Our resource offers an introduction to the SDGs, a simple way to introduce these to your students, and why we believe SDG4 is so important.

 

Equity in education is providing the right support for each person, taking into account their needs and circumstances. This depends on fairness, that personal circumstances should not interfere with a person’s potential for achievement. It also depends on inclusion, a standard that applies to everyone in an educational system. Fairness and inclusion are both needed for an education system to work.

 

We have several resources that will help you explore issues that affect equity in education, now and in the future.


  • SSF Human Rights resource: The world I want to live in - This resource serves as a mini-guide to classroom activities which seek to promote human rights education for children and young people in the classroom and to provide a platform for their voices on this issue. Human rights education is one contribution towards a broader human rights project of achieving greater justice and peace in the world.


  • SSF Climate Change resource: 5 ways to make my world better - The fight against climate change begins in the classroom. The effects of climate change is having a growing effect on large numbers of people and their ability to access education. This resource can help you to start discussions in school about climate change and how we can all have a positive impact.


  • SSF Inclusive Learning Environments resource - A curated collection of webinars and resources that are designed to enable a safe and inclusive learning environment for young people. To offer equity in education, the learning environment needs to address issues arising from safety, health and wellness, socioeconomic standing, race, gender, and disability.



You can find all our free resources here: https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/resources

 

If you want some inspiration on what young people made in our previous creative challenge on understanding human rights, have a look here.



We also have a free resource to help and inspire you with some creative ideas.

 

After the success of the human rights competition last year we are looking forward to the creative responses from young people to this years creative challenge.


Steve Sinnott • February 4, 2023
By Ann Beatty February 14, 2026
On 23rd January at the Cima Community School of Hope (ECEC), the first workshop was held with the first group of students as part of the STEM program. This activity marks a promising start to the program's implementation. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is crucial for children because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity from a young age. It nurtures natural curiosity, helps children understand the modern world, and builds resilience through hands-on experimentation. Additionally, early STEM exposure prepares them for future academic and career success. A total of 20 students participated in this first session. The session focused on a general presentation of the importance of computer programming in today's world. The students were also introduced to the Scratch software interface, an educational tool well-suited for teaching children programming. This initial experience went smoothly and generated considerable interest and strong motivation among the students.
By Steve Sinnott February 14, 2026
At the Steve Sinnott Foundation, we know that planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you care about. That’s why we’re delighted to offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to write or update their will this Spring. Whether you’ve been meaning to get started for years, or you simply need to make a few updates, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Join Our Free Will Writing Webinar To help you get started, we’ve partnered with expert estate planners Octopus Legacy , who will be hosting a free webinar(s) covering everything you need to know about writing or updating your will. Staff & Volunteers 12pm, Thursday 5th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters 12pm, Tuesday 10th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration During the session, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to have an up-to-date will What to consider when writing or updating your will The different types of will-writing services available How Lasting Powers of Attorney work and why they matter How to claim your free will this Spring This webinar is designed to make what can feel like a complex process simple, clear and manageable. Why Having a Will Matters Having an up-to-date will ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed and that may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will gives you peace of mind. It allows you to: Provide clarity and security for your family Appoint guardians for children if needed Make specific gifts to individuals or causes Ensure your estate is handled efficiently Updating your will is just as important as writing one. Life changes marriages, children, property purchases, or changes in circumstances can all affect your wishes. Claim Your Free Will This Spring As part of this initiative, eligible staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to claim a free will-writing service. Full details will be shared during the webinar, including how to access this benefit. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Writing or updating your will is one of the most responsible and caring decisions you can make for yourself and for those you care about. Register Now Spaces are available now, simply register using the link below: Staff & Volunteers - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration We hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5th March and take this positive step towards securing your future.
By Kaylem James February 3, 2026
In my time as an assistant at The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF), one of my research tasks was looking into how the Foundation contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I really believe in the work of the Foundation and I have also been raising funds as I believe that every child must have the right to education. SSF is a UK-based educational charity focused on promoting quality education worldwide. It plays a supportive role in achieving the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4: (Quality Education), but its work contributes to several others as well. Here's how the Foundation supports the SDGs: Goal 4 – Quality education (core focus) The Foundation's main mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It supports teachers and educational initiatives in developing countries. It runs programmes like: The Education for All Campaign – advocating for universal access to education. Teacher empowerment projects – providing training and resources to educators in under-resourced countries. Girls' education programmes – encouraging and supporting girls to stay in school and complete their education. Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Through education, particularly health-related programmes, the Foundation contributes to raising awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. The Foundation has developed a range of webinars to promote health and wellbeing and these can be found on YouTube. Goal 5 – Gender equality The Foundation promotes girls' education, directly addressing barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. It advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially in patriarchal or disadvantaged societies. Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth By improving access to education and vocational training, the Foundation helps create employment opportunities. Educated individuals have better chances of securing decent work. Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities It supports marginalised groups, including children in rural or conflict-affected areas, contributing to reducing global inequalities in education. Goal 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions Promotes education as a force for peace and conflict resolution. Supports democratic participation and awareness through educational programmes that foster community engagement. Goal 17 – Partnerships for the goals Collaborates with NGOs, unions, schools, and governments to deliver and advocate for education projects. Builds international partnerships to achieve the SDGs through education. Summary While The Steve Sinnott Foundation's primary focus is on Goal 4, it contributes to many of the SDGs by empowering communities through education, particularly: Gender equality (Goal 5), Health (Goal 3), Economic growth (Goal 8), Reducing inequality (Goal 10), Peace (Goal 16), and Partnerships (Goal 17).  The Foundation’s programmes also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs through the power of the provision of education and life-long learning; 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 13. Climate Action. We believe that all of the 17 SDGs are only achievable by ensuring that all children, wherever they are born, deserve the human right of quality education. Over 250 million children are still out of school and the global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024. There is still much work to do in achieving equitable and quality Education for All.