Working Together – Winning Together
Amanda Martin, president of the National Education Union, 2020.
The work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation began in 2009 to build upon
the legacy left behind following Steve’s death in 2008. Now, after 10
years’ experience working in partnership with teachers and educators
worldwide, the Foundation has secured its reputation in its own right.
SSF projects are offering life changing experiences for many people
across the world.
I am so proud of my association with the Foundation and of the fact
that I worked with it from its very early days. When I first met Steve
I was a young teacher. His calm, unifying and strong educational
values really resonated with me. He encouraged and welcomed
ideas and advocated trade unionism alongside the absolute need for
social justice and fairness. However, it wasn’t until I spoke at Steve’s
memorial service that I realised the true impact he had regarding
education and solidarity not just in the UK but across the world.
In its quest to continue work imbued with Steve’s values, the
Foundation has at its heart the ethos of enabling and partnership. It
ensures that while initial support is provided, those involved in the
various projects are not dependent upon the Foundation. The aim
for each project is that it can expand and thrive; that learning and
successes can be shared. Every project involves working together
to develop trust and ownership so that the they are not only fit for
purpose but are sustainable, locally owned, managed and valued.
The Foundation’s key vision is working towards the achievement
of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). It believes that quality
education is the key to achieving all seventeen of the Sustainable
Development Goals. The Foundation’s commitment to gender
equality is something I believe it should be proud of as it sits at the
forefront of all its thinking. The vision that started with Steve has
definitely been built upon and expanded by the Foundation. The work
of SSF has impacted positively on so many lives.
The Positive Periods Project has captured the true power of
collaboration between trade unions and the Foundation. To date
it has enabled girls in The Gambia to be given the opportunity to
change their lives through being able to attend school every school
day throughout the month.
Teachers in The Gambia have shared their learning with Sierra
Leonean teachers and they in turn are sharing learning and training
with colleagues in Uganda and Malawi; educators in Cuba and Haiti
are also involved in sharing this learning. This has not only meant the
completion of one successful project but has, in fitting with Steve’s
philosophy, inspired, encouraged and empowered those involved to
share their success - showing the real meaning of partnership and
working together.
Despite some setbacks the Learning Resource Centres in Haiti and
Nepal have put education at the centre of these communities and
proven that education can make a difference.
All of these projects show the importance of education globally and
the link with international solidarity that the Foundation continues to
achieve.
As I complete my presidential year, I am reminded of the words of
encouragement Steve was always willing to give and I know that
through their work the Foundation continues to inspire that can-do
attitude. Sadly, due to Covid19 there is no National Education Union
(NEU) Annual Conference this year which is a shame because in
writing my own speech I looked at the speech Steve gave when he
was the National Union of Teachers (NUT) President. Words of unity,
passion and solidarity resonated throughout and that’s what would
have resonated in my words too.
“Working together, winning together” is certainly a motto I live by,
because together we can achieve so much more. Whether that be
highlighting and striving to defeat inequality and hardship or actively
involving others in projects that can make a difference and make the
world a fair and equitable place.
Steve was taken too early from those he loved but through its ethos,
aims and hard work the Foundation has ensured that one man’s
solidarity and love has touched, enhanced and improved so many
more lives than he might have ever imagined.
From Engage issue 20.
AMANDA MARTIN • October 6, 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.
