Douglas Blackwood

Areas of Work

• Working in partnership with CIMSPA to create local skills accountability boards and to develop local sector skills plans.
• Provide training and development opportunities for Health and Social care workforce to gain skills to promote active lifestyles and physical activity.
• Promoting the value of sport and physical activity at district and sub-regional level to support and enhance initiatives in work, health, and skills agendas.

Previous Experience

Douglas completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Alongside university Douglas worked for Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, and Newcastle United Foundation before that, helping to deliver physical and mental health programme.

He also has experience at elite level cycling working in a performance support and coaching role and has experience conducting research in a professional rugby union environment..

Douglas has worked in the NHS as a Primary Care Link Worker and Health Coach, helping to coordinate support and provide care and support for patients suffering from poor mental and/or physical health. These roles also involved networking and managing relationships with services and organisations within the community who could help provide support.

Keeping Active

Douglas loves to be active and in the outdoors. Cycling is his main sport and continues to compete in both road racing and cyclocross. Alongside this he particularly enjoys trail running and rugby (league and union) and will happily watch any sport that’s on.