Part of what makes the Hummingbird Project so impactful for young people’s wellbeing is that it’s grounded in the latest academic research and practice, supported by a team of psychologists across three universities. We’re always keen to share our knowledge and experience with others in the field, as well as gaining their insights, so we were delighted when our project team, Ian Platt and Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan, were invited take part in the 11th European Conference on Positive Psychology 2024 in Innsbruck last week.
Sonia presented an informative and engaging poster on the Bounce Back course we offer to parents, which she taught and researched for her master’s degree.
“Attending the conference has broadened my understanding of positive psychology and its continuous practical applications in real-world settings. The various presentations and workshops have provided valuable insights into the latest research and techniques in the field. Interacting with fellow practitioners and researchers has been a truly enriching experience, fostering new connections and collaborations. Moving forward, I am excited to integrate the knowledge and inspiration gained at the conference into my professional practice.”
Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan, Hummingbird Project Co-ordinator, MedEquip4Kids
Ian gave an excellent presentation on all the experience and learning he has gained from an incredible seven years of delivering the Hummingbird Project.
“It was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot about the latest research developments in the field of Positive Psychology as a whole, particularly in the areas of hope, resilience, and mindfulness. There were also lots of opportunities to meet psychologists from across the globe who work with schools, teachers, parents, and particularly young people themselves. It was fantastic to see how our work on the Hummingbird Project and Bounce Back fits in with work taking place in other countries and on other continents, and we have come back with renewed excitement, and interesting and inspiring ideas, that will help us as we rewrite the secondary school version of the Hummingbird Project over the summer, based on feedback from the young people we have worked with in the last academic year and the learning we have enjoyed.”
Ian Platt, Hummingbird Project Lead, MedEquip4Kids
Delivered free of charge by MedEquip4Kids, the Hummingbird Project has been active in schools in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside and has reached nearly 6,500 pupils since it began in 2018. It takes a preventative approach to mental health issues by introducing evidence-based concepts and practices that can improve resilience and emotional wellbeing. We recently added the Bounce Back course to our programme, in partnership with the University of Chester, the University of Bolton and the Open University. To find out more about the Hummingbird Project, click the button below.
