Perfume
Stories
Perfume Stories are a series
of sensory and storytelling workshops based around olfaction and perfume. The workshop was piloted for 4 years across a number of Prisons in the North West /UK and is now adopted by 5 HMPs in the North East / UK.
This is the first project
that combines visual arts, storytelling and olfaction as
a methodology at HMP’s in
the UK.
This research programme has been run in collaboration with Novus.ac.uk, one of the biggest providers of education and rehabilitation in the Prison System.
Perfume Stories was short listed in The North-East Prison Awards 2024
Also featured in The Guardian 20.04.25
and Positive News Magazine Issue 122 July – Sept 2025
This workshop is now available for private and
corporate events
Please contact:
michaelsoshaughnessy@gmail.com
Perfume Stories was deployed in the UK across the Prison Sector
Collaborations and Partnerships have included:
“Mike O’Shaughnessy’s The Perfume Stories workshop that Mike delivered at Bank View SEND School was an outstanding success, providing a richly engaging and sensory rich learning experience for our pupils. It captured students’ imagination, encouraging creativity, communication, and exploration in a way that was accessible and inspiring. Pupils responded with genuine enthusiasm and curiosity, fully immersing themselves in the activities and demonstrating high levels of enjoyment throughout.
The inclusive and interactive nature of the workshop ensured that every participant was able to engage meaningfully, regardless of need, making it a valuable. Pupils showed confidence, excitement, and pride in their contributions.
Bank View SEND School in Liverpool.
The workshop highlighted the power of alternative learning approaches. By using scent as a stimulus, students connected with language and creativity in new ways, expressing themselves through writing, art, and discussion.
Feedback from pupils described the experience as “relaxing,” “interesting,” and “different from anything we’ve done before.”
English Teacher at Bishopton commented:
“This was a truly unique opportunity for our pupils to see how creativity can be sparked from unexpected places. Mike’s approach resonated with our learners and helped them to see that everyone has a story to tell — sometimes you just need a different way to unlock it.”
Perfume Stories is a great reminder that learning doesn’t have to follow one path — and that creativity, curiosity, and personal expression are at the heart of every great educational experience.
Bishopton PRUin the North-East