Dreamboarding Singapore’s shared future: How Thy Dreams Matter propels 6,000 visions into action

Thy Dreams Matter is a purpose-driven organisation on a mission to inspire personal growth, ignite possibility, and empower individuals to dream boldly and live with intention.

At the heart of this mission is its flagship programme, Dream Big Singapore, which uses “dreamboarding”, a visualisation tool that helps people reflect, set goals, and take action. More than just a collage of words and images, a dreamboard is a canvas of hopes and ambitions, a reminder that every dream deserves space to grow.

Dreamboarding encourages people to pause and reflect: What do I want to achieve? What really matters to me? Whether it’s starting a small business, learning a new skill, reconnecting with family, or giving back to the community, turning those ideas into visual form makes them feel real and motivates people to take that next step.

For groups such as students exploring their future, families aligning their values, or seniors rediscovering their passions, dreamboarding provides a shared framework for having conversations that might otherwise be difficult to start.

Marking SG60 with a national movement

To celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and align with national themes of care, connect and contribute, Dream Big Singapore partnered with the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) to launch an ambitious initiative: to create 6,000 dreamboards nationwide.

They built this partnership on their shared belief that collective reflection and aspiration can help strengthen Singapore’s social fabric. With SGPO’s support, Dream Big Singapore was able to scale its grassroots approach into a truly national movement, successfully achieving its goal of 6,000 dreamboards.

“As we celebrate the achievement of 6,000 dreamboards, I’m reminded of something important: we all have the superpower to bring a smile to someone’s life,” says Hon Peow, member of the Dream Big Singapore core team. “Every interaction matters. Even if it’s just five minutes, we can choose to hold space for another person to listen, to encourage, and to remind them that it’s okay to dream again.”

This alignment with SG60 means that each dreamboard contributes to the collective story of who Singaporeans are and what they hope to become. A student’s dream of becoming a doctor, a retiree’s goal of travelling more, or a family’s wish to volunteer more together are the smaller pieces that make up a much larger national mosaic. By bringing these individual aspirations together, the project shows how personal growth and community progress are deeply intertwined.

Dreamboarding a brighter future together

Dream Big Singapore has already made history twice, holding two Singapore Book of Records titles for Dreamboard Making. Beyond sheer numbers, being the largest effort of its kind shows how dreaming can unite people on a massive scale. When thousands come together to visualise their hopes, it displays the power of collective imagination as a national resource.  

The mechanics are simple yet powerful. Participants from all walks of life, including students, families, seniors, and community groups, can download a free Dreamboard Making Kit. This includes step-by-step instructions, printable templates, prompts for self-reflection, and a QR code for submitting completed boards to the national tally.

Participants can create dreamboards individually or in groups to turn a personal activity into a shared storytelling experience. Every board adds to a growing national gallery of dreams, making SG60 a time of celebration and intentional growth.

Inclusivity and accessibility for all dreamers 

Beyond its scale, what makes this initiative stand out is its inclusivity and accessibility. By working with schools, grassroots organisations, and public agencies, Dream Big Singapore makes it easy for communities to run dreamboard sessions in classrooms, community centres, or even at home.

For disadvantaged youth, dreamboarding becomes a tool to expand horizons and spark confidence. For elderly participants, it offers a way to reflect on a lifetime of experiences while imagining what’s still possible. And for busy professionals, it’s a chance to reconnect with their passions outside of work. In schools, children can discuss what excites them about the future. Families can also find new ways to talk about aspirations and support one another’s goals.

“Before this, I never thought much about what I wanted for myself,” said a participant from a family dreamboard workshop. “Making my dreamboard helped me see that my goals still matter, and that I can take steps to reach them.”

Each dreamboard captures personal goals and creates opportunities for connection. As the activity is simple and accessible, it allows people of all ages and abilities to participate meaningfully, whether in classrooms, community centres, or family living rooms.

This inclusivity is what makes dreamboarding so impactful. It becomes a bridge between individuals, encouraging conversations, empathy, and shared understanding. By focusing on accessibility and participation, Dream Big Singapore helps communities strengthen their bonds and build support networks that extend far beyond the dreamboards themselves.

Dreaming boldly for SG60 and beyond

Taking time to visualise a brighter future matters when daily pressures leave little room for reflection. Dream Big Singapore demonstrates how a simple, well-designed tool can inspire individual growth and community connection.

By putting dreamboards into the hands of thousands, Thy Dreams Matter celebrates SG60 and plants the seeds for Singapore’s next 60 years of personal and collective progress. More importantly, it reminds us that dreaming is not just for the young – it’s for everyone, at every stage of life.