Our Story
A Vision Born in Lockdown
The idea for Laurel’s Wood CIC was conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, when access to the outdoors was severely restricted. Repeated lockdowns starkly highlighted the detrimental effects of being cut off from nature, both physically and mentally. It became clear that access to outdoor spaces is vital for our overall health and wellbeing. However, the pandemic also drew attention to the contrasting experiences of different groups — those fortunate enough to have gardens or nearby public spaces coped better, while others, without such access, felt the impact far more keenly.
A Personal Journey in Formby
Our founding Director, Ceara, was strongly influenced by her own experience during the lockdown. Having recently moved from London to Formby with her husband and young son, she spent six months on furlough. Their daily exercise consisted of walking to the beach through Formby’s pinewoods, and this routine became a transformative experience for the family.
For their son, who had been used to spending long hours in a London nursery, this immersion in nature led to noticeable changes. His language development flourished, his appetite and sleep improved, and he became more confident and physically active. It was as though the simple connection with nature had sparked a profound change — he was thriving.
The Seed of an Idea
During this time, Ceara was introduced by her family to a local private woodland, Laurel’s Wood, which had been in their family for many years. This sparked a thought: could this woodland offer the same life-changing experiences to others, particularly those without regular access to outdoor spaces?
Were there local communities who, for various reasons, didn’t typically venture into woodlands or natural environments? And would they benefit from immersion in nature in the same way?
Turning the Vision Into Reality
The following 18 months were spent bringing this vision to life. Feasibility studies were commissioned, a lease with the woodland’s landlord was negotiated and Ceara set about learning how to establish a business.
By August 2022, Laurel’s Wood CIC was officially born. A Board was formed and in February 2023, the organisation signed a lease for Laurel’s Wood, becoming custodians of 16.5 acres of private woodland.
Though the space had previously been inaccessible, the agreement with the landlord outlined the commitment to care for and enhance the woodland’s biodiversity, while also opening it up for the benefit of the local community.
What this would look like in practice was still evolving, but the mission was clear — Laurel’s Wood would be a place where nature could nurture, heal, and bring joy to people’s lives.
THE MISSION WAS CLEAR