Nicola Richards

Nicola also serves as the programme’s Moving and Handling Coordinator, delivering “train the trainer” education, and acts as Placement Coordinator. In this role, she is committed to developing diverse and innovative placement opportunities that provide students with a wide range of experiences, aligned with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s four pillars of practice: clinical, education, leadership, and research.

Alongside her academic work, Nicola volunteers with physiotherapy students at the Blue Flamingo Dementia Café. This community engagement programme offers meaningful support for people living with dementia and their families, while also providing a unique placement opportunity that enhances students’ person-centred and socially responsive practice. As part of her placement role, she works closely with local trusts and educators to support the student placement experience, deliver clinical educator training, and provide ongoing guidance.

Nicola began her career as a Physiotherapy Assistant within Manchester Foundation Trust, an experience that inspired her to pursue a professional qualification in physiotherapy, which she achieved in 2010. She went on to work across a variety of clinical settings, including acute care and community services in Wythenshawe, where she gained valuable experience supporting patients in their own homes. Nicola also worked within crisis response and intermediate care teams, developing expertise in rapid assessment, rehabilitation, and collaborative working to prevent hospital admissions and support safe discharges.

In 2018, her passion for neurological rehabilitation led her to join the Integrated Stroke Team at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where she developed specialist skills in stroke care and multidisciplinary teamwork. Building on this breadth of clinical experience, Nicola transitioned into higher education in 2021, taking up her current academic role at the University of Central Lancashire. Most recently, she completed a Master’s in Healthcare Practices, reflecting her ongoing commitment to advancing both her own professional development and the education of future physiotherapists.