Latest news with #HummingbirdProject
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alarming children's mental health condition fact revealed in Bolton conference
One in five children in the North West has a probable diagnosable mental health condition. This alarming fact was revealed at the first Bolton conference for the Hummingbird Project, which aims to improve children's mental health. Project manager Ian Platt, who has delivered the bulk of the in-school sessions including at several schools in Bolton, described that figure as 'wildly optimistic". Hummingbird Project conference project manager Ian Platt (Image: Adrian Greenhalgh) The project involves a free, six-week positive psychology intervention for regional schools. It was started and is funded by Manchester-based charity MedEquip4Kids, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It was developed by the University of Greater Manchester under Professor Jerome Carson of the psychology department and also now backed by researchers at two other universities – Chester and the Open University. As Catherine North, Hummingbird development manager, explained at the conference, it was created in response to concerns about children's mental health and 'overwhelmed' services for them. The project has been accessed so far by 8,600 pupils aged seven to 18 in the North West. It covers happiness, kindness, gratitude, mindfulness, character strengths, resilience and growth mindsets. A rapt audience including teachers heard how the courses have resulted in measurable improvements in well-being and hope and reductions in anxiety and depression. Catherine North identified some of the root causes of children's problems as abuse and trauma, social media and low self-esteem, pandemic legacy, deprivation and cost of living pressures. Hummingbird has already led to various developments in the mental health field. A computer game is proposed and there are plans to take the project to London. Mr Platt has also been working with parents delivering the Bounce Back intervention at mental health charity MhIST to improve their wellbeing. Conference speakers included Ifthakar Khaliq from Bolton's Essa Academy, Claudine McFaul from the Open University and Ana-Cristina Tuluceanu from the University of Greater Manchester. Hummingbird project co-ordinator Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan, Kati-Anne Roughley from Haslam Park Primary School in Bolton, Dr Kevin Hochard and Dr Michelle Tytherleigh both from the University of Chester and Sarah Hobson from St Bede CE Primary Academy in Bolton also spoke. The mayor of Bolton, Cllr David Chadwick, and Dr Ghazala Baig, chief executive officer of MedEquip4Kids, gave the concluding comments. Prof Carson described the conference as 'a great success,' adding that the project 'needs more national roll-out".
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Focus on children's mental health in Bolton as specialists lead conference
How to look after the mental health of children will take centre stage at a conference in Bolton this summer. The conference will showcase The Hummingbird Project, a six-week Positive Psychology course designed to empower young people to flourish and thrive. The course is delivered free of charge to schools by children's charity MedEquip4Kids in partnership with researchers from the University of Greater Manchester, the University of Chester, and the Open University. So far more than 8,000 primary and secondary pupils across the region have taken part in the project, reporting increased wellbeing and happiness, as well as reduced signs of anxiety and depression. MedEquip4Kids (Image: MedEquip4Kids)READ MORE: The conference is set to take place on Friday July 11 from 10am at the Deane Lecture Theatre, Senate House in the University of Greater Manchester. The course covers the following topics: happiness, kindness, gratitude, mindfulness, character strengths, resilience, and growth mindsets. Each session includes interactive and engaging activities. At the end of the course, schools receive a box of resources including books, sensory toys, and games to reinforce their learning. The conference takes place on July 11, starting at 10am. Attendance is free to register visit : With mental health challenges said to be at a record high among children and teenagers, the Hummingbird Project is designed to offer a solution to support emotional resilience in schools. It is thought to be the only multi-component programme of its kind in the UK offered entirely free to both primary and secondary schools. The event will be chaired by Professor Jerome Carson from the University of Greater Manchester, who is a leading authority in Positive Psychology and mental health. Professor Carson said: 'Rising problems in children's mental health have been an increasing concern over the last decade and especially since the pandemic. 'The Hummingbird Project incorporates the latest research from Positive Psychology to improve young people's wellbeing, help them thrive and get the most out of life. 'The project is a great example of Knowledge Exchange between the university and the charity MedEquip4Kids for the benefit of thousands of young people.' The conference, which will be attended by the Mayor of Bolton, will bring together local educators, psychologists and other healthcare professionals. Attendees will have the opportunity to: - Hear insights from the staff and academic researchers behind the programme. - Discover how the course is delivered and evaluated in schools. - Learn how to bring the Hummingbird Project into more classrooms across the region.
Rhyl Journal
02-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Seized crime money supports Abergele ‘Safe Sleep' project
The Hummingbird Project, a not-for-profit organisation, was visited by Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on April 24. On his visit, Mr Dunbobbin saw how money recovered from criminals was being used to support vulnerable people in north Wales through the Your Community, Your Choice fund. Your Community, Your Choice is decided through a public vote and backed by the PCC, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). Mr Dunbobbin saw how money recovered from criminals was being used to fund beds and bedding for families in need (Image: Supplied) The funding comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Hummingbird Project, a not-for-profit organisation which supports people of North Wales, was set up by Pam Lake and Lizzy Day with the aim of helping the community. Ms Lake started the project from her own home and they have now managed to grow the project to include their own premises. They provide household goods, including bedding and beds, for families and individuals who are in need. They source items from the community and pass them on free of charge. Their biggest ask is for beds and, since they began, they have given over 350 beds to children and adults who were without somewhere to sleep. An issue for them is the difficulty in responding quickly to emergency requests and to organise donation and delivery, as they are reliant on the community to donate beds. To combat this, The Hummingbird Project came up with the new project which Your Community, Your Choice funding is supporting. The 'Safe Sleep Project' will allow The Hummingbird Project to provide beds quickly to those most vulnerable who are often victims of violence or crime, and who have had to move on from refuges or other services and don't have the means to purchase beds for themselves. READ MORE: Rhyl veterinary clinic makes 'final plea' for support as site faces closure Ms Lake said: "We are delighted that the public supported this project and are grateful to the Commissioner, PACT and North Wales Police for their interest in what we are doing. "The 'Sleep Safe Project' funding will make a massive difference to the speed we will be able to get beds to those in most need. "Working with a local bed company, Perfect Dreams, we have already delivered a brand-new bed which was very gratefully received." Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, said: "It was inspiring to visit Pam and the team at The Hummingbird Project and to learn more about their dedication to helping people in need in the local community." To learn more about PACT, visit
