The founder of education charity Daydream Believers, Helena Good, has received an MBE in the New Year Honour’s list.
Ms Good, who has lived in Edinburgh for 30 years, founded the charity by working with partners including Rockstar Games, LEGO® and Skyscanner. Daydream Believers provides a bank of online resources for teachers to use and holds interactive workshops with pupils and training sessions for teachers.
Since setting the organisation up in 2017 Ms Good has worked with more than 27 local authorities and 95 schools. The work has reached more than 6,000 pupils and 200 teachers. The business also began the first Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Creative Thinking Qualification focusing on solving real world challenges.
Helena Good, Founder and Director of Daydream Believers, said: “Receiving an MBE is an incredible honour and feels truly special not just for me, but also for the entire Daydream team and my own family.
“I’ve always been passionate about education and the role creativity plays in shaping resilient, innovative futures. Working with inspiring partners both in education and business and being part of the Daydream Believers team has been a privilege. Working together we are unlocking potential and empowering both educators and students to think differently.
“This recognition is a reminder of the amazing things we can achieve together, and I’m so excited for the journey ahead as we continue to dream big, collaborate, and make real change happen.”
Ollie Bray, Strategic Director for Education Scotland, who works with Daydream Believers, said: “We are delighted that Helena has been awarded an MBE for services to education. This prestigious honour is a reflection of her unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work, as well as the profound and lasting impact she has made on Scottish education. Helena’s infectious enthusiasm, coupled with her pioneering work in creativity and project-based learning, has transformed approaches in both primary and secondary schools across Scotland. This recognition is richly deserved, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Helena on this remarkable achievement.”
Ruth Cochrane, Head of Future Skills at the Glasgow School of Art and a Director of Daydream Believers, said: “I’ve known Helena since 2019 when I was one of the many representatives from across the creative and educational spectrum that she convened around the common goal of changing how creativity is taught in schools.
“Helena was uniquely able to allow us to leave our competing agendas and egos at the door and work together around this shared mission; to dream big and reimagine what education could and should be. Even more impressive than that, she is driving that vision into real change in the form of Daydream Believers. Thousands of young people across Scotland have had their school experience changed by Helena’s vision, and I’ve been privileged to witness the transformative effect Daydream Believers has on everyone who engages with it.
“Creative professionals have a meaningful way to contribute to the development of their future workforce, supporting teachers to rediscover their passion for the classroom and most importantly encouraging pupils to reengage with school and love learning. It is a total privilege to work with Helena and call her a friend, and I’m so delighted that her achievements are being recognised in this way.”
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