Launch of pioneering immersive educational experiences
Entrepreneur of the Year Helen Hill is set to revolutionise climate education
Bradford-based entrepreneur Helen Hill has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2024 Digital Women Awards, in recognition of her groundbreaking work in the digital and education sectors. This accolade comes at a pivotal time, as Helen also celebrates securing funding through the Innovate UK Creative Catalyst competition to launch her climate change education initiative, Be The Future IMMERS[ED].
Helen co-founded Be The Future IMMERS[ED] with Sally Giblin, an entrepreneur based in Sydney, Australia. Together, they are pioneering immersive educational experiences to teach children about climate action and sustainability.
Their project, TOGETHER, blends storytelling, multimedia, gamification, and interactive environments to inspire behaviour change and equip educators with tools to teach sustainability. With a pilot set to launch in West Yorkshire, the first site will be hosted at the premises of their headline sponsor, audio-visual company Posynergi, based in Huddersfield. The pilot's initial theme, "Rewilding & Nature-Based Solutions," will include an on-site exhibition style experience, and a touring offering.
Speaking on her double success, Helen Hill said: “Winning Entrepreneur of the Year is a huge honour, and what’s even more exciting is the opportunity to bring Be The Future IMMERS[ED] to life with this new funding. We aim to inspire the next generation of changemakers and support schools in teaching sustainability—a topic that’s often challenging for educators. We want to push the boundaries of technology and education to create experiences that both excite young minds and encourage meaningful action against climate change.”
Digital Women Awards
Helen’s win at the Digital Women Awards 2024, which celebrates women excelling in digital industries, highlights her achievements as a business leader and innovator in using technology for educational transformation.
The funding Helen received through Innovate UK will enable her team to scale their innovative educational program across the UK and beyond, creating a purpose-built digital platform to further its impact. Be The Future IMMERS[ED] has already drawn attention through creative awareness campaigns like last year’s World Oceans Day, where Helen and Sally dressed as 13ft reclaimed plastic mermaids, reaching over 25 million people.
For more information about the TOGETHER project and to book your school or community group in, please visit bethefuture.earth/together.
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