Our Team

The Heart of Laurel’s Wood

At Laurel’s Wood, our passionate team is dedicated to creating meaningful connections between people and nature. Each member brings unique skills and a shared commitment to making the woodland a welcoming space for all. Get to know the people behind Laurel’s Wood!

Ceara Byrne

Ceara Byrne

FOUNDER. DIRECTOR & CEO

Originally from Crosby, Ceara moved to London after graduating from the University of Sheffield and spent 16 years working in commercial real estate as a Chartered Surveyor. Despite her corporate career she has always felt most at home outdoors, having spent much of her youth engaged in sports. Ceara is passionate about green justice and advocating for equal access to the benefits of outdoor experiences. Becoming a mother of two young boys profoundly influenced her life and inspired her work with Laurel’s Wood CIC. After relocating to Formby during the pandemic, Ceara was introduced to Laurel’s Wood, and the rest, as they say, is history!

As CEO of the CIC, Ceara leads the initiatives and is an active Forest School Leader, delivering school sessions herself.

Outside of work, Ceara is a passionate runner, having completed several half-marathons and the London Marathon. She also enjoys Pilates in her downtime. When not managing the CIC, Ceara can be found exploring Formby beach with her husband, sons, and their dog, Herbie.

Andy Lewis

Andy Lewis

EDUCATION LEAD

Andy is our resident survival and bushcraft expert, leading school sessions and outdoor activities at Laurel’s Wood. With extensive experience in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments, including the Nepalese Himalayas and Norway’s rugged Hardangervidda wilderness, Andy's outdoor journey began in the UK, where he was introduced to mountaineering by his father.

An educator for over 20 years and a fully qualified secondary school teacher, Andy thrives on sharing his knowledge and helping others grow and develop. He holds qualifications in a wide range of outdoor disciplines, including bushcraft, survival, forest school, trekking, Duke of Edinburgh Award, indoor climbing, orienteering, archery, knife/axe throwing, the John Muir Award, first aid, and mountain leadership.

As a bushcraft and forest school trainer, Andy also equips others to lead their own outdoor sessions. His passion lies in reconnecting people of all ages with nature, whether through teaching wilderness skills, leading expeditions, or mentoring other outdoor professionals.

Rachael O’Dell

Rachael O’Dell

FOREST SCHOOL LEADER

Rachael worked for over a decade in the fast-paced world of television, starting her career as a Production Runner working on live television and television drama before moving over to post production at Pictureshop, in Manchester. After relocating to Formby and becoming a mother of three, she sought a career that aligned with her new lifestyle and personal passions.

A lover of the outdoors, Rachael spends much of her free time exploring nature with her family, often kayaking and paddleboarding in Anglesey. Her hobbies include swimming, Pilates, and gardening, and her passion for plants and the positive impact nature has on her children inspired her to pursue Forest School education. Now a Level 3 Forest School instructor, Rachael leads school and charity visits at Laurel’s Wood.

Quotes from Teachers, Carers and Charity Staff

  • “One child who is looked after — I was quite emotional watching him during the day as he turned into this brave, confident leader. On a normal school day, he cannot listen and forgets our rules but when on our trip to Laurel’s Wood he was a different person. He transformed into a true role model helping his friends and teachers enjoy the activities. He became a leader, an explorer.”

  • “All children I saw a change the ones who aren't confident in school dared to try new things and pushed out of their comfort zone. In addition, when coming back to the class the next day the children were all calm and amazed from the day and carried on the change of behaviour to within the classroom.”

  • “For our children, I felt like these activities were activities that they would have never had the chance to experience before and the confidence and joy they got from this will stay with them for a long time.”

  • “It was a great chill time for the children to explore the forest and play with the amazing space but also push their boundaries giving independence and allowing them to be creative explorers.”

  • “The children were so calm all day. They listened to instructions from the team, they kept themselves safe, they worked together, they explored, they showed independence, they were engaged, they gave everything a go, they learnt new skills and they had fun while doing it all.”

  • “City children change when brought into new, exciting venues like this one. They thrive! They need this more often. In fact, I would say it should be termly!”

  • “They loved it they all wanted to go back the next day, we have changed our outdoor classroom since going and a child has even said "It’s like we are back in the woods, it’s all magical.”

  • “The whole day all staff couldn't believe how amazing and were blown away by the woods and the team. Will definitely be back again! Thank you so much for giving this opportunity to our children who will never experience anything like this, and inspiring us within our own outdoor area.”

  • “I cannot say how brilliant our day was and the change in the children's behaviour in the outdoor environment everyone pushed their comfort zones, became leaders and fully embraced the day.”