First trip to West Africa since Covid lockdowns

Dear friends and supporters,


I am just about to head back to the UK from a trip to West Africa visiting some of our current projects in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. This is our first visit since before Covid and I am delighted to share with you all that the projects are progressing well. 


I am in a reflective mood thinking about all the educators and students I met, and the stories they shared with me. I’m also thinking about my friends and family who are preparing for the festive season in the U.K. Despite extreme challenges; cost of living increases, climate change and inequality, our colleagues are passionately committed to providing access to quality education for all children. 


Despite the traffic jams, the dust as we are nearing Hammatan, and the football focus, we shared some laughter and joy. I had an incredible trip, and I would like to feedback to you the difference your support is making. 


Here are just a few highlights:


The Learning resource centre in The Gambia is providing a vital space for teacher training and for educators to carry out research.



I was honoured to meet with 40 SSF young ambassadors in Banjul and Basse who are campaigning for the right to education for all children everywhere, as well as improved conditions for their teachers. 



We looked at our Change makers Speak Out Challenge - The School I want to Learn In together and the students came up with some inspiring ideas for the future of education. 


Sign up here to get involved in our Change makers Speak Out Challenge: 


Change makers Speak Out Challenge


We visited an SEN school in Banjul and the teachers there touched my heart at their incredible passion and love for the students in their care. 



Inspiring stories


I was nspired by a young woman who shared her story with me. She was married at 15, has a baby daughter and due to violence from her husband she ran away. She is 17 now and living with her aunt and she is attending school every day. She is hopeful for the future for her and her daughter. How incredible is that story and the support you have given to enable us to host training on gender based violence is absolutely having an impact on people lives.


In Sierra Leone, my colleague Isata has just had a baby boy Mohammed, and it was a joy to spend time with them both. 


The learning resource centre in Makeni is really coming together, and Isata now has 1 staff member, and 5 volunteers, who are making great progress.



Positive Periods programme


Meeting teachers and students who benefitted from the Positive Periods and Gender Based Violence training, and hearing their testimonies, assured me that our work is having a huge impact on people’s daily lives. 



I was honoured to meet some of the SSF young ambassadors who told me how the Positive Periods program has not only impacted their own personal lives, but the lives of girls in their wider community as well. 


The Foundation works in a way that fosters trust with our partners, builds ownership and sustainable practice on the ground. We listen and we care about the future and I am proud to say our method is working. 



Support our work


However, the list of requests for replication of the work is long and we cannot expand our work without more support. 


If you could find it in your heart to support some of our projects directly by purchasing one of our eco-friendly charity gifts this December, it would make a big difference to so many people. We have gifts priced to suit all pockets, take a look here: https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/gifts/


Or you might want to support us to foster a sustainable future for education by making a monthly donation from as little as £5 to any amount you can afford. Click here for a form.


Finally, a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to you all, for supporting access to education for all. 


Ann





This page presents country specific information including national reports, country commitments, data, and examples of good practices submitted by partners - Sierra Leone


This page presents country specific information including national reports, country commitments, data, and examples of good practices submitted by partners - The Gambia

Steve Sinnott • December 7, 2022

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.