Bede's alumna, Laura Harling, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2023 New Year's Honours List. In 2016, she founded 'The Dot Collective', a charity that provides professional theatre in care environments and raises awareness of dementia.

The Dot Collective is a charity named after Laura's grandmother, Dorothy, who went into residential care. The Dot Collective produces open air summer and Christmas care home tours annually alongside new writing projects that work directly with people living with dementia.

On receiving the award, Laura said: “It was very unexpected and I am so very grateful for the recognition of this work, and thankful for the continued support of my peers and funders who allow The Dot Collective to revolutionise the way theatre is thought of in care and community settings and provide stimulation, shared excitement and joy for those who are most isolated. Very excited for our next projects.”