Care4Calais – caring for each other

Last week our CEO Ann and one of our volunteers Lida had the privilege of visiting Care4Calais; where they delivered essential supplies provided by the women at New Ground Co-housing who raised an incredible £1850.00.

 

 

Care4Calais

 

There are still about 700 refugees living in and around Calais. They are sleeping rough in the worst conditions, not allowed tents for shelter from the elements, and their sleeping bags and possessions are regularly confiscated by the police. Care4Calais is a volunteer run charity operating year round to deliver essential aid and support to refugees living in the UK, Northern France and Belgium.

 

Care4Calais have a regular weekly schedule so that the refugee community know when they are coming to the different sites and what services are provided. Every morning the volunteers choose their jobs for the day.

 

On this visit there were volunteers from Bedfordshire, Ireland, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, USA and Canada. Some are staying for just a few days, and some for several weeks or months. 

 

Jess who has just started a 12 month contract told Ann that she is excited to work for Care4Calais and to make a difference to the refugees lives whilst they are stranded in France. Every day she is amazed by the people’s resilience and generosity despite the circumstances and people not always being kind to them.


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Ann and Lida told us about their visit:


We arrived on Saturday and worked in the warehouse in the morning, sorting clothes and other donations. In the afternoon, we visited refugees to provide the various services.


We were in Rue de Judee for just over 3 hours on Saturday afternoon, delivering tarpaulins and blankets. We then supported the services of English lessons, phone charging, hairdressing, drinks and games. Chess, backgammon and football are very popular. All of the services were popular but especially the phone charging which allows people to stay in touch with their families and friends.


Lida provided interpretation for Care4Calais about an opportunity with the BBC, who would like to interview some of the Afghans for a programme about their journey. She found the Afghan people to be in a dire situation with little water and shelter, and she was happy to be able to interpret for them and the Care4Calais staff.


Meanwhile Ann was on hairdressing duty. This meant setting up the barber shop, arranging the chairs in a circle and giving out equipment. She describes the scene, “there was something very beautiful about watching these young men caring for each other. It was therapeutic for the barber, the client and for me too, to witness the care being reciprocated.”

 

On Sunday Lida cooked lunch for the volunteers and Ann packed up food parcels for the week ahead. It was a physically and emotionally tiring trip but it was worth it to meet so many people and learn about the reality of life there, we learnt a lot on our short visit. 


As Ann and Lida were leaving the site a young man approached them with some blackberries he had picked for them to say thank you, it was such a kind human gesture and one that will stay in their hearts for some time.



We hope we will be able to return for a longer visit later in the year.



Here are some of the things you can do to support Care4Calais. Maybe start a fundraiser in your school.


Steve Sinnott • August 2, 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.