Seashell

Hazel Blears, MP for Salford and Eccles, visited the PZ Cussons factory at Agecroft last week to learn more about the work of the PZ Cussons group. In particular, senior managers from PZ Cussons shared details of a world-leading project the company has been working on with Seashell Trust.

Hazel was shown academic research and outcomes of the joint work that Seven, PZ Cussons fragrance house, have undertaken with the Seashell Trust. The research focuses on the use of specialist fragrances to promote the communication and enhancement of communication in children with dual sensory losses.  Hazel was especially interested because of the potential links this research might have with her involvement with the all-party parliamentary group on dementia. A researcher from the University of Manchester (Dr Caroline Swarbrick) who is advising the group accompanied Hazel.

The Seashell Trust and PZ Cussons have been working together for two years on the research to investigate and evaluate how olfaction might affect and support the development of communication of students with multi-sensory impairment.  The work has attracted international interest from America and Denmark.

Royal School Manchester, the charity’s residential special school, currently uses a range of communication methodologies with students including; objects of reference and symbols supported by text.  The olfaction project has been looking at how bespoke fragrances can improve a child’s understanding and communication including the ability of these children to make choices.

Anne Gough, Deputy Head of Royal School Manchester, said ‘Simple things like making food or drink choices based on smell have been successfully introduced into our curriculum. In addition, research aimed at enhancing multi-sensory experiences for students has taken place.  A simple example is releasing the scent of burning wood at Bonfire Night celebrations.  

Mark Geraghty, Chief Executive and Principal at Seashell Trust added ‘We are incredibly grateful to Seven perfumer Kate Williams and PZ Cussons for all that has been achieved to date.  Eileen Boothroyd from the charity Sense and Professor Heather Murdoch from the University of Birmingham  have also provided invaluable support and guidance. We are very excited about the outcomes we have achieved so far.’

Brandon Leigh, Group Finance Director of PZ Cussons, said: “We are delighted to have forged such close links with the Seashell Trust over the past couple of years and that our expertise in fragrance is helping with the amazing work which the Trust does. We are looking forward to exploring with the Seashell Trust and Hazel Blears how we can link into the work which is being done by the all-party parliamentary group on dementia.”    

Hazel discussed with members of the PZ Cussons team and Seashell Trust Chief Executive, Mark Geraghty how this leading edge research into olfaction and communication might inform and support research in the dementia field and ultimately help sufferers with the challenges they face and said after the meeting, “The innovation shown both by Cussons and the Seashell Trust is fantastic and shows just how by working together, a major company and a charity can use something like smell to change people’s lives.”