We recently visited Blackley Academy in Manchester to deliver the Hummingbird Project, our six-week Positive Psychology course designed to boost young people’s mental health across the North West. Developed in partnership with three universities, the programme explores vital wellbeing topics such as mindfulness, gratitude, character strengths, kindness, resilience and growth mindsets.
As part of our mindfulness lessons, we encourage pupils to fully engage with the world around them by tuning into all five senses. Paying close attention to the present moment can help reduce anxiety and improve emotional wellbeing, and it can also be a lot of fun!
One sense that often gets overlooked is smell. Yet scent can be one of the most powerful ways we connect with our environment and our memories. At Blackley Academy, our Project Manager Ian Platt brought this to life with a hands-on activity designed to challenge pupils’ noses and spark their curiosity.
Ten mysterious glass jars were passed around the class, each filled with a scented cotton wool ball. From fruity and floral to downright funky, the scents ranged from familiar food items to everyday household products. Pupils were warned that, just like in life, not every smell would be pleasant!
Laughter and suspense filled the room as each jar made its way around and pupils eagerly watched each other’s reactions. In their workbooks, they rated how much they liked or disliked each scent and took a guess at what it might be. (Spoiler: no one has ever guessed all ten correctly!)
After the giggles settled, the class took time to reflect. They discussed how noticing the scents in their daily lives, from fresh-cut grass to a home-cooked meal, can help them feel more grounded and present in the moment.
The Hummingbird Project is delivered completely free of charge to schools across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside.
Want to bring the Hummingbird Project to your school? Visit our website to find out more and get involved.
