After working as a qualified Physiotherapist in a number of different NHS hospitals for 11 years, including in specialist areas of Paediatrics & Intensive Care Units, Helen undertook a one year intensive Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Training Course gaining her SPA and BCU Canoe and Kayak Coaching qualifications amongst others. One of the assessors on her course spotted Helen’s natural talent for both First Aid and her exceptional qualities as a coach and trainer and suggested she consider delivering First Aid Training. The expertise and experience gained throughout her career, has provided her with everything she needed to successfully set up and run Underwood Training. Helen wrote our training manual ‘The ABCDE of First Aid’ as she wanted a comprehensive memory aid for clients to have to refer to over the 3 years that their qualifiation lasts.
Helen’s vast knowledge of all things First Aid mean she is also able to run bespoke courses, using a person centred approach, making Underwood Training the perfect choice for a tailored experience that suits your workplace.
Fran Woodcock trained as a nurse in the late 1980’s and spent several years gaining experience in a variety of specialities including A&E, acute medicine and anaesthetics in a number of NHS and private hospitals. In 2003 she joined the resuscitation team and continues to work as a resuscitation officer regularly attending cardiac arrests, managing acutely ill patients and training colleagues. She is an Instructor with the Resuscitation Council (UK) in both adults and paediatrics.
Fran is very active in the outdoors and is involved in medical cover at sporting events and had the privilege of being part of the medical cover at the London 2012 Olympics. Fran co-authored our training manual ‘The ABCDE of First Aid’ with Helen and she advises us on changes in clinical practice relating to first aid and resuscitation.
Andy began delivering first aid training courses in 2010 to support the work he was doing as a qualified Youth and Community worker. He then worked for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award where he was passionate about teaching young people new skills, accrediting what they learn and helping them plan, train and complete expeditions in the UK and overseas. A lover of all things outdoors, Andy is a qualified instructor in many different outdoor pursuits including holding his Mountain Leader qualification.
Andy joined Underwood Training in 2019 – his background working with both adults and young people means he is a very versatile trainer who can adapt to almost any environment, bringing the ethos of Underwood Training – ‘people centred first aid training, tailored to your needs’ to every session he delivers.
Andy brings a great deal of experience of dealing with first aid in a range of environments to his courses that receive some great feedback from the course participants. Passionate about a life outdoors, Andy is an experienced climber, mountaineer, mountain biker and skier and has been involved in Mountain Rescue as a Casualty Carer for close to ten years. When he is not guiding groups or instructing, he delivers our Outdoor Incident Management Courses first aid courses, as well as Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work and Requalification courses.
Aside from his First Aid training: with over 25 years of experience as a secondary Geography Teacher, Head of Department and examiner in the Northwest of England as well as working as an outdoor instructor and tutor for the Field Studies Council , Andy leads Geography and Environmental Science programmes to young people at home and abroad.
Joanne joined Underwood Training in June 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience in community justice and a strong foundation in trauma informed practices. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider and trained in Paediatric First Aid, Joanne is passionate about supporting others and creating safe, inclusive environments values that perfectly align with Underwood Training’s mission.
A busy mum of three, Joanne is no stranger to multitasking and brings warmth, empathy, and organizational skills to her role. Outside of work, she loves spending time in the great outdoors with her children and two dogs.
Joanne works behind the scenes ensuring that courses run smoothly from start to finish. She is proud to be part of a team that shares her commitment to mental health awareness, lifesaving skills, and community wellbeing.
Brian taught secondary science for 33 years and then moved to work with Underwood Training teaching physical First Aid and later also First Aid for Mental Health. Throughout his time working with Underwood Training Brian has been an active member of CRO – the combined Cave and Mountain Rescue Team covering the Yorkshire 3 peaks and Malhamdale areas and he also volunteers as a Community First Responder with Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Brian has recently retired from the training side of things, however due to his extensive examinations background he is continuing to work with Underwood Training as an Internal Verifier.