Children’s charity MedEquip4Kids delivered a positive psychology project in four Tameside primary schools following £9,950 of funding from the Jigsaw Foundation.
The Hummingbird Project is a six-week course that aims to increase happiness and resilience through mindfulness meditations, character strength, and fun activities like the hula-hoop challenge which teaches about resilience and teamwork.
The sessions were taught to more than 280 pupils from St Peter’s CE and Hurst Knoll St James CE Primary schools both in Ashton, Broadbent Fold Primary School in Dukinfield and Hollingworth Primary School in Hyde by MedEquip4Kids Project Lead, Ian Platt, a psychology postgraduate from the University of Bolton.
Teachers reported that pupils have shown improvements in regulating their emotions, using strategies to calm themselves in different situations, overcome negative feelings and look for more positives.
One student from Hollingworth Primary School commented: “If you ever get to do the project, do it. It’s one of the most fun lessons I’ve ever done! I loved it and Ian is so kind and thoughtful.”
Sarah Keenan, Jigsaw Foundation, Rewards and Scrutiny Manager said: “I was so pleased to read how positively the children reacted to the sessions we funded. The past few years have been hard and very disruptive for children. The impact of Covid and now the cost of living crisis in our neighbourhoods has understandably led to concerns about the affect on children’s mental health. This project has proven invaluable.”
