Introduction

Gosforth Civic Theatre (GCT) is an independent arts venue, café bar, events space and community hub located three miles north of Newcastle city centre. Founded to create an inclusive space shaped by people with learning disabilities, it has grown into a vibrant cultural hub, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors in 2019 alone. In 2022, Liberdade Community Development Trust secured a £1.5m Youth Investment Fund (YIF) capital grant to renovate the ageing theatre building and increase provision for young people across Newcastle and the surrounding areas.

Central Support Offer – Identifying the Need

Following a longer‑than‑expected capital development programme, GCT’s small but long‑standing leadership team had come under significant strain. The extended build had required intense operational involvement, limiting the organisation’s capacity to focus on organisational development during closure. By early 2024, leadership capacity was stretched, burnout had become a reality, and GCT recognised the need to consolidate, strengthen internal ways of working and embed a healthier organisational culture to support the next phase of growth.

Support Provided

Through the YIF Central Support Offer, Eastside People provided tailored organisational growth and change‑management support.

Eastside People is an award‑winning social enterprise that provides consultancy, interim support and recruitment services exclusively to charities and not‑for‑profit organisations. They specialise in organisational change, governance, leadership development and income generation, helping organisations build long‑term capacity and resilience during periods of growth or transition.

Following an initial Organisational MOT, GCT was matched with Katie Roberts, an Eastside People consultant, to deliver a two‑phase programme of support known as EmpowerU.

Phase one focused on organisational culture and leadership effectiveness. Katie worked closely with the executive leadership team, providing structure to meetings, one‑to‑one coaching and support to clarify roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability. Alongside this, she met individually with almost every member of staff, delivering listening and culture‑building sessions that brought teams together around shared values, behaviours and a clearer understanding of how each role contributed to GCT’s mission.

Phase two began in late 2024 and focused on developing a theory of change for the organisation. Katie facilitated an all‑staff workshop and supported engagement with staff, trustees, company members, the youth board and the local community, embedding the new ways of working established in phase one.

The Result and Impact

The support helped GCT improve internal communication, increase staff confidence and strengthen leadership cohesion. Clearer role profiles and improved management practices enabled the leadership team to step back from day‑to‑day firefighting and focus more effectively on strategic direction. New behaviours and systems introduced during the project continue to shape how the organisation operates.

Additional Impacts

As a result of the work, GCT has embedded regular team talks, improved internal communications and established a shared understanding of organisational values. The development of a theory of change has helped the organisation focus its future priorities and articulate its impact more clearly.

What They Said

“We needed capacity more than just advice, and it was all about setting a foundation for the next phase. Katie was incredibly insightful and a really good fit for us.”
 Rob Huggins, CEO, Gosforth Civic Theatre

“The team at GCT are a passionate, committed bunch… it takes courage to allow someone new to walk alongside you and share your organisation for a bit.”
 Katie Roberts, Consultant, Eastside People

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