Directors
Lisa O’Brien
Lisa is a Trust SENCo and leads a SEND Inclusion Unit, bringing together strategic leadership, specialist expertise and a passion for inclusive education. After completing her PGCE in 2017, she taught across a variety of primary year groups, developing a broad understanding of child development, effective classroom practice, and the diverse needs of learners. In 2022, she completed the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCo) at Master's level, further strengthening her knowledge and commitment to securing positive outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Throughout her career, Lisa has been passionate about ensuring that high-quality provision starts in the classroom. She believes that inclusion is everyone's responsibility and that every child should have access to an education that recognises and celebrates their individual strengths, interests, and needs. Her work focuses on creating environments where all children can thrive, feel valued, and make meaningful progress in their own way.
Leading a SEND Inclusion Unit has provided Lisa with extensive experience in developing tailored provision and working collaboratively with families, schools, and external professionals to support children with a range of needs. She is particularly interested in the role of outdoor learning and sensory play in promoting engagement, wellbeing, and development. These approaches can provide powerful opportunities for children to build confidence, independence, and communication skills.
Both professionally and personally, through spending time outdoors with her son, Lisa continues to see the value of experiential, child-centred learning. She remains committed to championing inclusive practice and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish and achieve their potential.
Director
Michael Lindup
Michael is the Director of three independent, family-run funeral directors: Harold P. Heywood (Failsworth), T. Collins & Son (Lees), and Wild & Brierley (Oldham).
Having worked in the funeral industry for over 20 years, the profession has been a significant part of his life from a young age, at one point earning him the title of Oldham's youngest-ever funeral director. He takes great pride in his work, dedicating himself to guiding and supporting families when they need it most. His family often describes being a funeral director as his main passion, to which he devotes most of his time while striving for perfection for the families he serves and their loved ones.
Away from work, family is everything to Michael, and those close to him mean the absolute world to him. He is also an avid Manchester United fan, though he admits supporting them certainly comes with its fair share of ups and downs!
Michael is honoured to be part of The Bear Hug Project CIC. He has always had a passion for helping children, and as a father himself, he knows just how important it is for children to feel loved, supported and cared for. He genuinely believes that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a huge difference, especially to a child who may be going through a difficult time. Being involved in an initiative that brings comfort, happiness, and support to children means a great deal to him and he looks forward to playing his part.
Director
Lauren Grimes
Lauren is from Oldham and is the owner of Baby Bear’s Play Cafe. With over ten years experience in healthcare and education — including roles in further education, training and secondary schools — she launched the play cafe in November 2025 after the birth of her second child. She identified a need for sensory and role play for children under seven and for a calm, clean, non‑judgemental space where parents and families can connect. She is passionate about helping families overcome barriers and supporting new parents to build connections.
Away from work, Lauren loves spending time with her family, tuning into juicy podcasts, taking regular spa visits and going on long walks.
Director
Zack is a Chartered Marketer, with over 15 years experience working education, housing and the wider public sector. Zack serves as a School Governor at Hulme Grammar School and also the co-owner of Baby Bear’s Play Cafe alongside his wife, Lauren. Having previously served as Director of Communications and Development at the Laurus Trust, Zack brings extensive experience in communications, governance and community development.
Zack is from Oldham and is passionate about challenging social injustice. He believes that every child should have the best start to life and is excited by the prospect of The bear Hug Project CIC working to improve connections between education, healthcare and housing for the betterment of children and their families.
Director