Celebrating Nature's Laboratory's Wonderful Women!
08 March 2026
Happy International Women’s Day -Celebrating the Wonderful Women of Nature’s Laboratory
This International Women's Day, we’re celebrating the amazing women who contribute their skills, knowledge and creativity to Nature’s Laboratory’s shared mission of supporting health, community and the natural world.
Meet the Women!
Alice
When Alice lived in Germany, she was spoilt for choice when it came to organic food. Moving back to Whitby, she was relieved and delighted to discover The Dispensary, with its real bread and organic fruit and vegetables. It quickly became her favourite shop, so when a part-time role became available there, she jumped at the chance.
Nature’s Laboratory supports The Dispensary as a community health initiative, and when we needed someone to help there with sales, Alice started there on a part-time basis in addition to her work at The Dispensary. At Nature’s Laboratory Alice works in sales and is also part of the team dispatching BeeVital products and helping to make Sweet Cecily’s lip balm kits. She says that she likes the small team atmosphere in both Nature’s Laboratory and the Dispensary; looking out for each other and helping each other out.
Her interest in natural health began early. As a child she struggled with asthma that nothing seemed to shift, until a visit to a homeopath cleared it. Since then, she has had a lifelong interest in natural medicine, including homeopathy, herbal medicine and propolis, the remarkable substance made by honeybees that supports both bee and human health.
Outside work, Alice loves gardening, wildlife and spending time outdoors. She plants for pollinators, enjoys walking and proudly admits she’s “a bit of a bird geek.” When she can, she volunteers at Whitby Walled Garden, a beautiful project combining wildlife and wellbeing. At home she also loves cooking and sharing good food.
Annabel
Annabel is the Sales Co-ordinator at Nature’s Laboratory, helping ensure orders are processed and customers receive the support they need.
She is also a talented artist who has helped design some of our product labels. Her love of herbal medicine began in childhood, learning from her mum as she grew up.
Creativity runs through everything Annabel does. She is a singer who wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered an album for her final university project, even designing a full, live lounge album launch for it, to use for her socials.
Annabel works across many creative media including watercolour, acrylic, pen and ink, embroidery, pottery and jewellery-making. She also crochets and knits clothes and sells her creations at craft stalls.
She is also mum to Willow, her beautiful long-haired tortoiseshell cat.
Annabel describes herself as determined:
“When I set my mind to something I can pretty much do it. Like when I decided to move to Whitby, I left Sheffield all by myself. Nothing gets in my way.”
Her move inspired her twin brother and eventually her parents to follow. When she’s not creating art, she enjoys long forest baths and beachcombing with her mum to collect jet for jewellery.
Lucy
Lucy is Community Communications Director at Nature’s Laboratory, writing blogs, social media posts, press releases, articles and adverts, as well as proofreading the team’s written work. Recently she has also been helping out in the sales office and in other areas where support is needed.
She feels deeply passionate about natural medicine and believes strongly in the healing power of plants. One of her favourite quotes is by William Wordsworth:
“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.”
Lucy is also a director of Common Cause, which runs The Dispensary and The Reading Room, helping organise community groups and events at both venues.
Lucy is a passionate advocate of Veganuary, promoting plant-based living, and runs Whitby Compassionate Food, the local support group for Compassion in World Farming, which campaigns globally to end cruel factory farming and promote regenerative farming. She also supports Crustacean Compassion, which works tirelessly to improve the welfare of crabs, lobsters, langoustines (scampi) and other decapod crustaceans, sentient creatures which are frequently treated and killed in inhumane ways.
Lucy says “I love nature and all animals and feel very blessed to share my life with some wonderful humans and animals! In my personal life I love singing as part of an informal group and I am also a screenwriter, which is another of my passions. I am very lucky to work with a supportive team at Nature’s Laboratory and be involved with running The Dispensary with a wonderful team there too. I am privileged to work with amazing women in both Nature’s Laboratory and The Dispensary, and want to help shine a light on their lives and achievements.”
Bhagyashree
Bhagyashree is Senior Research Scientist at Nature’s Laboratory and has worked with the company in various roles over the past few years.
Bhagyashree tells us “With a PhD in Natural Products, I have always been passionate about research that connects nature and human health.
At Natures Laboratory, this passion aligns perfectly with our mission; using herbs and bee propolis to develop products that genuinely support wellbeing.
What I find most inspiring about working here is our commitment to taking ideas from bench to bedside in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
Research is at the heart of everything we do, and it is incredibly rewarding to help develop evidence-based products that make a real difference.
Another aspect that makes Natures Laboratory special is the team. I am fortunate to work alongside dedicated colleagues, including many incredible women who bring positivity and determination to everything they do.
Over the years, I have also formed incredible, lifelong friendships with women here, which makes my days at work even more meaningful and enjoyable.
From the moment I first stepped into Nature's Laboratory, it has held a special place in my heart. Being part of a company that values science, sustainability, and teamwork makes my work both meaningful and fulfilling.”
Connie
Connie is a vital part of the Nature’s Laboratory team, keeping our factory and offices clean and cared for.
Though her work often happens behind the scenes, it plays a crucial role in ensuring everything runs smoothly. We are hugely grateful for the care and dedication she brings to the workplace.
Amy
Amy is our bookkeeper, at Nature’s Laboratory. She comes in to the office once a week to reconcile bank statements, pay suppliers, solve accounting problems and work in a Miss Marple style to solve other related queries!
She needs to sneak past the coffee police (AKA Bhagyashree!) to get her caffeine fix and enjoys a caramel shortbread from our nearby bakery, Botham’s, as a treat.
Outside of work Amy spends a lot of time outdoors walking her goldador Marley, marvelling at nature and looking after her 3 horses as well as keeping home for her husband and 2 teenage children.
Dylan
Dylan is the Herbal Adviser at Nature’s Laboratory.
She holds a First-Class Honours BSc in Clinical Herbalism and is a registered member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, the UK’s leading professional body representing medical herbalists.
Dylan combines traditional herbal knowledge with modern clinical understanding, helping people better understand their health and make meaningful, sustainable changes.
Her consultations are compassionate and collaborative, creating a space where people feel heard and supported.
She believes that good health is a fundamental right, and is committed to helping people achieve it through the natural power of plants.
Celebrating Women, Nature and Community
This International Women's Day, we’re proud to celebrate the amazing women who contribute so much to Nature’s Laboratory.
From science and herbal medicine to creativity, communication, organisation and care, each woman brings something unique to the team.
Together, they help us continue our mission: connecting people with the healing power of nature while building a supportive, community-focused workplace.
Happy International Women’s Day to all the wonderful women who inspire us every day!