A recent report has highlighted that more than one million children in England were referred to mental health services in 2024–25, with anxiety one of the most common reasons for referral.
For MedEquip4Kids, the figures underline the urgent need for early, preventative support, helping children understand their mental health and learn wellbeing tools before problems escalate to crisis point.
The Hummingbird Project was created to do exactly that. Delivered in schools across the North West, Hummingbird is a six-week Positive Psychology programme that gives pupils practical strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing. The programme covers topics including gratitude, kindness, mindfulness, character strengths, resilience, teamwork and hope for the future.
Because Hummingbird is a multi-component intervention, pupils are introduced to a range of tools rather than one single approach. This gives every child a better chance of finding something that works for them.
Mindfulness can be particularly helpful for reducing anxiety, as it encourages children to slow down, notice how they are feeling and focus on the present moment. One pupil, reflecting on the Hummingbird sessions in the above poster, wrote:
“On week 3, we learned to slow down. We also used our senses to see what we can hear, touch, taste, see and smell. This makes us calm and RELAX.”
The same pupil also described learning about happiness, kindness, strengths, teamwork and the future, showing how the different parts of Hummingbird work together to help children build confidence and emotional wellbeing.
MedEquip4Kids measures the impact of Hummingbird using recognised evaluation tools, including the YP-CORE, which can pick up signs of anxiety and depression in children and young people. Our evaluation shows significant improvements, alongside improvements in wellbeing and hope.
The report also highlighted rising referrals linked to neurodivergence, including autism and ADHD. In response, MedEquip4Kids is developing a tailored version of the Hummingbird Project for young people with Special Educational Needs, including pupils with autism and ADHD, to make the programme more flexible and accessible for different ways of learning.
Children deserve support long before they reach crisis point. Through Hummingbird, MedEquip4Kids is helping pupils learn skills they can use now and carry with them into the future.
