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Under the most tumultuous of times
I completed a four-year law degree and, as many before me have done, started a new chapter... or at least tried to. On the 24th July 2020 I officially graduated from the University of Nottingham from the comfort of my parents living room via MS Teams. It wasn’t the most celebratory or self-indulgent ending to what was an extraordinary period of my life but, we are living in extraordinary times. Starting as a fundraising assistant at the Foundation, however, has granted me a huge opportunity to tip toe myself into this new world.
A few years ago, I heard about the Foundation and its work and had been captivated by the stories relayed by Ann Beatty from her travels to Sierra Leone. There was clearly an unfaltering commitment by those involved to the Foundation’s mission of achieving universal access to education and the achievement of gender equality. Reflecting on my degree award and my education journey I became aware of the privilege of the education I had been able to receive and equally, acutely aware of how far that privilege is not widely shared. It was in the knowledge of the Foundation’s sincerity and determination in their mandate that I was keen to undertake this new project and hopefully be of some help.
In order to support the longevity and success of the projects being carried out globally, the Foundation relies on the support of its generous supporters and external partners. I had previously undertaken community projects and volunteered for charities, but I had never been tasked with developing a new scheme of fundraising before. I’ll admit the task was daunting, however, I can gladly say after some months that I have learnt a lot. Attempting to encourage a group of solicitors to undertake ‘pro-bono work’ and donate the usual fee, or, at least a percentage of it, to the Foundation was always going to be a task.
However, there is nothing that can’t be achieved with an inspiring email, a conversation and the right partner. Luckily for me the Foundation has undertaken so many impressive projects, that it was easy to connect with people over shared values. In particular, the Foundation’s commitment to sustainability was a key element of discussions. The importance of designing long-term solutions that utilise local resources and engage with a variety of stakeholders is an important factor to many.
Following the uncertainty and upheaval caused by the pandemic, I have been able to see the importance of fundraising and I began to look forward to the future of the Foundation and how the Foundation might be supported beyond the work I am able to do. It was on this line of inquiry that I discovered the importance of legacy donations in supporting non-for-profit organisations. Legacy income derives from gifts left in wills and the Foundation has, to date, received two generous legacies which have already been reinvested into their projects.
Recently, as a growing number of people are focusing on settling their affairs, there has been an increase in will writing, allowing many to contemplate what is important to them and how they want to be remembered. Although, these thoughts and their impact can often be uncomfortable, it is in these times that the bigger picture can also be seen. A goodwill gesture made now has the ability to affect the future; if this is something you have never given thought to please consider thinking about it now. A gift, large or small made to the Foundation, may mean the difference to a child or children around the world in having access to education and in turn to achieving their best potential.
BY MAYA DABO – FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT
BY MAYA DABO • April 23, 2021
Spring is definitely here, daffodils, blossom and crocuses are all basking in the bright sunshine. There is still a chill in the air in the shade but it's happening and all the seeds that were sown over the last few months are coming to fruition. At the Foundation, we have been planning the year ahead and our Positive Periods and Prevention of Gender Based Violence programmes got underway this weekend in Haiti and Ghana. These projects will have a long-lasting effect on the lives of the women and girls who take part: tackling the root causes of gender-based violence and enabling girls to attend school every day when they have their period, to feel safe at school and know how to take action when they are faced with violence. These are the first of many projects planned for the year ahead as we continue to work towards Education for All children everywhere.
The outlook for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) on global education is far from rosy. But a gloomy future isn’t inevitable. Disappointing statistics are the result of political choices that can be shifted and there are thousands of youth, grassroots activists and civil society organisations across the UK advocating for global education to make these changes. We need more people involved to build the momentum, we need to make a difference in challenging circumstances. You can help! Here’s how; Making global education a UK priority The UK is an important donor and champion for global education. However, education has been gradually deprioritised on the development agenda. Global education spending has plummeted from 13.5% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2013 to just 3.5% in 2023, and education was one of the sectors hit hardest by the abandonment of the 0.7% gross national income (GNI) target for ODA. With Labour’s annual budget confirming another reduction in the aid budget, funding for global education is under threat of being cut even further unless we stand together to say this can’t happen. While education is a domestic priority for the new Government, it has yet to emerge as a strong theme in their development agenda. As the Labour Party continues to develop their approach there is a unique opportunity for advocates to connect these dots and make the case for why education must be a key part of the Government’s international plans. For the Government to take action it needs to hear demand for change. There are many issues MPs recognise are important, but if they do not hear about these issues from constituents it can be hard for MPs to be vocal about them in Parliament. Following an election where many parliamentary seats were won with tight margins, MPs need to hear from the people they represent that global education must be on their agenda. With over half of MPs elected for the first time this year, many are actively looking for a steer on what issues to work on. We can give them one! How to Get Involved Write to your MP about why global education needs to be a bigger priority for the UK Government and encourage members of groups you are a part of, such as your union branch or a local community group, to do the same. This can have a real impact on your MP’s interest and ability to act for global education. You can also connect with other grassroots activists and get resources for taking action from international development advocacy organisations like Results UK. You can learn more about Results UK’s grassroots network on our website. If you are a teacher, get your school involved in the Send My Friend to School Campaign (SMF). Send My Friend is a UK civil society coalition advocating for SDG4 which supports a mass UK schools campaign to amplify student voices calling for universal quality education in solidarity with their peers around the world. Free campaign packs are available on the SMF website for primary and secondary levels with everything teachers need to run the campaign in their school. Parliamentarians can learn more about education issues and how to act by joining the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Global Education, a cross-party group that brings together Parliamentarians interested in the right to education and provides them with knowledge and resources to be champions of the issue. By joining our voices through collective action, we can make a real difference in moving the needle on this issue. Together we have a chance to rechart the course for the realisation of quality education for all. BIOGRAPHY Hannah Frisch is the Senior Policy and Parliamentary Advocacy Officer for Education at Results UK and a Co-Chair of the Send My Friend to School Policy and Parliamentary Working Group. She is a policy advisor for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Global Education in the UK Parliament.
Last year the Steve Sinnott Foundation supported the work of The Federation of Drama Schools by providing financial aid to new graduates, enabling them to take part in an industry showcase at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. The showcase is an annual event for Irish graduates who have completed a professional training at one of the Federation’s partner conservatoires in the UK, introducing young actors to the industry they hope to work in. The Federation of Drama Schools partners are institutions that provide conservatoire vocational training for those who want to be professional performers, theatre makers and technical theatre practitioners. The courses they offer are for students of eighteen years and over, who have completed their school level education. In November (2024) fourteen young Irish graduates took part in the showcase and the SSF provided financial support to two graduates who may not otherwise have been able to take part in this showcase, which is a bridge between training and their professional career. Melanie Lavery from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is one of those who benefitted from this support. Melanie writes of her experience. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Steve Sinnott Foundation for the support I received, making it possible for me to take part in the Dublin Showcase 2024. The opportunity allowed me to work with graduates from across FDS schools and widen my contacts in the industry. Coming from a socio-economically deprived area, I’ve often missed out on opportunities available to my peers. I have had to spend a lot of energy during my three years in drama school working to support myself and this has meant I often don’t have time to follow up network opportunities. In receiving this sponsorship and taking part in the showcase I have been able to connect with other Irish creatives - the people I am acting opposite, directors, casting directors and agents in the industry. These industry showcases are so important for graduates. It gives us the possibility of networking with industry professionals and hopefully the opportunity of taking that first crucial step into the profession we have trained for. As I studied in Wales, it gave me the chance to return to Ireland and to reach out to creatives there. The Foundation gave me this amazing opportunity to kick start my career in my home country. On the day of the showcase, I had such pride watching my fellow Irish peers performing on stage at Ireland’s National Theatre. Working together throughout the rehearsal period, I got to know them individually and we all helped each other to grow as performers. This showcase has helped me to create my own community of actors around me. When it came to talking with other creatives after the show case, I became so much more aware of how large and welcoming the industry is in Ireland and how much work is being produced here. I think this show case is so important as it highlights how vibrant and growing the industry is in Ireland. I feel so lucky that I was able to take part thanks to the help of the Steve Sinnott Foundation. For more information on the Federation of Drama Schools, professional industry showcases, and it’s partner schools please visit www.federationofdramaschools.co.uk
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