Learning and Creativity this Autumn

During half term we have been getting outdoors and enjoying the autumn colours and bright sunshine. The green leaves are turning and dropping off the trees to rest and make way for new growth in the Spring. Autumn is a time for preparing for change, and getting ready for winter. 

What can you do this autumn to make the most of the out doors and the beautiful autumn colours? We collected different leaves and made an autumnal bouquet; we have been inspired to try some painting in these colours and we have been trying out composing some poetry too. One benefit of the shorter days is seeing the sunrise and sunset colours. But not everyone has short days and distinct seasons.


Talking with our colleagues in The Gambia and Sierra Leone this morning we were comparing the weather. This is something we are programmed to do here in the UK for some reason. Did you know that in The Gambia and Sierra Leone there are only 2 seasons dry and rainy season? Temperatures there this week were 42 degrees, we would love some of that heat over here in the UK right now but the trade-off for nearly year round sunshine is that they have heavy rains from July to October and due to Climate Change much like us they are experiencing strange weather at all times of the year.


Have you noticed this year that there have been huge crops of acorns? Well across the UK Oak trees are all producing an extraordinarily large crop of acorns. This is actually a natural phenomena, every few years some species of trees and shrubs produce a bumper crop to ensure that there is far more seed than can ever be eaten by predators, to ensure that there will be plenty to sprout and grow. This is called a ‘Mast Year’ as the collective term for fruits and nuts is ‘mast’. Find out more about this phenomena on the Woodland Trust website (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10/what-is-a-mast-year/). So, this year is a Mast Year for Oak, and there has been a lot of rosehips too.

We have been enjoying learning ourselves whilst hosting our Life Long Learning Series as well as welcoming lots of new people who have discovered the Steve Sinnott Foundation for the first time. We have discovered the possibilities of what can be done in an online conference, and tested out creative workshops, working together and how Zoom can be used to enhance learning for all and connecting with people all over the world. Which makes us feel strongly about the Global Digital Divide and what we can do about it.


We’d like to thank everyone who has taken part so far and share the two autumn poems we created in Sovel’s Quiet Mind Poetry webinar.

Autumn Seeds


Acorns and conkers

The currency of our future

This is not just a seed

It is a heart inside a hand

It is a pearl within a shell

It is a dream above the clouds


Seeds create comforting feelings in my hands

From the decomposition and decay of Autumn

New lives will be generated

And mighty trees will grow.


Seeds of the autumn

Hand in hand

The acorn and the conker.

Outdoors


Shared joy to be outdoors,

So fresh, summer flowers gone,

Flush of pink in cheeks.

 

Pink and red stripes against green,

Swelling and growing behind lost flowers,

Small dark seeds growing inside.

 

Anticipating the conker tree,

Crunchy flesh, waiting to be eaten,

Shiny conkers, waiting to be chosen.

 

Watching the pup smile,

Happy to walking too and,

Sharing joys outdoors.


Please share this post with anyone who would find it interesting, and leave a comment below to let us know what you have been doing this Autumn.


Thankyou for sharing the learning!

The Steve Sinnott Foundation • October 29, 2020

STEM programs in Haiti

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.

Make This Spring the Season You Secure Your Legacy

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.

The Foundation supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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.