Meet the You’ve Got This core team

Written by: You've Got This, You've Got This Core Team

Our Core Team consisting of Mark, James, David, Jamie, Carol and Adam, ensure the smooth running of the You’ve Got This Place Partnership.  If you’ve ever wondered exactly what each person’s responsibilities and roles are, then read on to find out more:

I’m responsible for the strategic management of the programme and ensuring the resources we have are coordinated to maximise the opportunity of achieving our vision of ‘active lives as a way of life’. My role is varied and involves working closely with Sport England, who are supporting the YGT pilot and learning with us throughout. I’m passionate about demonstrating the benefits of physical activity and how it can contribute to the broader ambitions of South Tees. We’re growing our partnerships, mainly through The Exchange, which is galvanising a movement. It’s a chance to be part of something big and make South Tees a happier and healthier place to live.

“I am passionate about the opportunities physical activity provides to improve our well-being, build more cohesive communities and help create a sustainable future for our planet.”

My role involves using a place-based approach to embed our vision. I’m passionate about supporting our communities, residents, services and organisations to understand the value of physical activity and the multitude of benefits from moving more. Through my role I support health systems work in James Cook University Hospital including Active Hospitals work; and previously the Prehabilitation workstream that has supported people to become more active and physically fitter before and after surgery. Another aspect of my role has involved working with the South Tees Trust and helping patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

This has looked at how we can assist people through a low-calorie diet and then encouraging them to increase their physical activity, in order to put their condition into remission. I have also supported our work around embedding physical activity and health into our local authority planning and transport planning departments.

“Being active has been a part of my whole life and I want to share the physical activity benefits with others. It has shaped the life I lead, the people I socialise with and the way I encourage my family to be active”

I’m a public health spatial planning practitioner and behavioural scientist. My professional journey has been driven by a deep commitment to understanding and addressing
socioeconomic inequality – a passion that has motivated my work for over two decades. My research focuses on uncovering the intricate social and biological pathways through which inequalities become embedded in our built environment. I’m fascinated by how the spaces we inhabit can either perpetuate or challenge existing social disparities. This understanding isn’t just academic for me – it’s a tool for transformation.

Collaboration is at the heart of my approach here at YGT. I believe that the most powerful changes emerge when we bring together diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and professional expertise. Whether I’m working with colleagues on the Local Plan, public health initiatives like Active Hospitals, or place-based projects like the redevelopment of the Eston Recreation Ground, my goal is always the same: to create environments that enable people to move more and flourish.

“I’m driven by a core belief that we can create more equitable, supportive environments through collaborative, thoughtful design.”

I am responsible for keeping the Core Team organised and a key contact with the Ambassadors.  I am currently involved in the Flippin’ Pain work, Social Prescriber journal and Motivational Interview training with Teesside University and oversee all contract documents with Redcar & Cleveland Council.

“Being active is essential to my health and well-being and I build movement into my day as much as possible.  I want to help others realise that being more active can help them lead healthier and happier lives.”

My role supports the Core Team in all areas of work with a specific focus on the community side of the Place Partnership. I’m currently mainly involved with our Warm Welcome, Warm Spaces, and our YALF and CMF (Your Active Living Fund and Community Movement Fund) small grants work.

“Physical Activity has the power to improve the lives of those that take part in it, and it’s significantly important to get as many people as possible on that journey”

As the Insight & Analytics Officer at You’ve Got This, I bring a blend of data expertise and human-centred thinking to help drive smarter decisions across the organization. With a background in NHS healthcare data and rugby performance analytics, I aim to turn complex data into meaningful, actionable insight that support our movement that empowers people to be active in whatever way they can.

“I am passionate about the power of physical activity to improve lives and committed to using data and local insight to support healthier, more active communities in South Tees.”