Orbis Community is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company with a board of advisors, which is based in multiple sites in Gateshead. The Orbis Community Board of Directors are Jonpaul Kirvan, Paul Stone and Christopher Yeats (Vane)(Ampersand Inventions). Orbis Community champions collaboration between creatives and communities. To achieve this, Orbis Community provides an environment for:

• Affordable Workspace:

  Our business provides affordable and flexible workspace solutions to help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive without the burden of high overhead costs.

• Fostering Communication:

  We prioritise creating an open and inclusive environment where communication flows freely, fostering creativity, and innovation among our community members.

• Networking and Collaboration:

  Our space is designed to encourage networking and collaboration among like-minded individuals, providing ample opportunities for partnerships and synergies to develop.

• Mentoring:

  We offer a range of mentoring programmes and resources to support the growth and development of our members, connecting them with experienced professionals in their respective fields.

• A Supportive Environment:

  Our community is built on the foundation of support, where members can find the encouragement and the resources needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.

• Business Development:

  We provide resources and guidance for business development, including access to workshops, seminars, and experts to help our members grow their ventures.

• Health and Wellbeing:

  We offer innovative wellness programmes, activities, and workshop/event spaces to promote a healthy environment for our members and businesses.

• Placemaking:

  We are committed to creating a vibrant and dynamic space that reflects the diverse interests and personalities of our community, making it an inspiring place to work and connect.

Organisations and groups who have benefited from Orbis Community spaces and workshops include:

Schools

Cardinal Hume Catholic School
Durham School
Hebburn Comprehensive
Heworth Grange Academy
Jarrow School
Lord Lawson Academy
Nettlesworth Primary School
North Gosforth Academy
Sandhill View Academy
St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy
St Alban’s Primary School
Thorp Academy
XP Gateshead

Colleges

Gateshead College
Newcastle College
Sunderland College
The Northern School of Art, Hartlepool Campus
The Northern School of Art, Middlesbrough Campus

Universities

Durham University – Department of History

Newcastle University
• Fine Art BA • Fine Art MA • Museum, Galleries and Heritage Studies MA

Northumbria University
• Creative Cultural Industries Management MA • Fashion and Marketing BA • Fashion Design (Sustainable and Ethical) MA • Fine Art BA • Fine Art MA • Business School • School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries

The University of Edinburgh - Fine Art BA

The University of Sunderland • Fashion Design and Promotion BA • Film and Media BA • Fine Art BA

University of York - Department of Philosophy

York St John University

Council and Public Sector Partners

Gateshead Council
Adopt North East
Art Diamonds
Children’s Services
Economy, Innovation and Growth
Freeland’s Foundation joint grant proposal – Local Schools
Gateshead Arts Team
Gateshead Council Volunteer Open Day
Gateshead Cultural Education Partnership
Gateshead Economic Policy and Delivery
Jewish Woman’s Aid partnership programme
Northumbria Police Awards
Northumbria Police Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing
Park That Bike
Pride in Gateshead
Public Health Team – HDRC Support
Public Health Team – Substance Misuse
Purple Flag Assessment - Presentation
Q&A with Gateshead Town Centre Manager and Northumbria Police
Shaping the Future of Gateshead – UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The Big Help Out
Bewick Café
Town Centre Vulnerability Training
Tyne and Wear Preservation Trust
Tyne Derwent Way
Vulnerability Training for Night Time Economy Staff
NE Youth
Northumbria Police
North East Combined Authority
North East Museums
Management meetings and staff training
Newcastle City Council
Economic Development Team

Organisations and Projects Supported by Orbis Community

V&A Museum
Age UK – Head of Partnerships and Volunteering
Amber Collective
Arts Council England – Creative People and Places Fund
BIPC North East – Business and IP Support in the North East
Clifford Chance Law Firm Exhibition
Chilli Studios
Creative Fuse
DesignLab Nation
Emerald Explorers Photoclub
Festival of Thrift 2024
For the Love of the North
IMPACT+
The Late Shows
North East Seaside Stitchers
Gateshead Pride
GIFT Gateshead International Festival of Theatre
Recovery Connections (part of Gateshead Recovery Partnership)
Latrine’s House of Art – Pride in Gateshead
Slow Hand Creative Studio
Snow Peak Way 2024
Sofar Sounds Secret Gig
St Oswald’s
Northumbria and Newcastle Universities for Middlesbrough Art Week - Auxiliary New Graduate Award
Sunderland Software City
The Charlie and Carter Foundation
The Shipley Art Gallery
Wardrobe Gateshead - a safe space for trans, non-binary and genderqueer people
TICE Textiles Programme
Tyne and Wear Centre Against Unemployment Charity

Coalface 25
Beautiful Pigeon, Cameron McEwan, Charles Monck, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Chris Killip, Design Office, Eadfrith, FaulknerBrowns, Howarth Litchfield, James Longfield Studio, JDDK Architects, John Lonsdale, Lesley McIntyre, Mawson Kerr, Max Cooper-Clark, Napper Architects, Northern Bureau for Architecture, Office HEFT, Owen Luder, Paul Jones, Paul Warrior, Patrizio Martinelli, Peter Yates, Ryder and Yates, SW Architecture, Sebastian Messer, Stephen Roberts, Studio Reiver, Studio Stead, Terry Farrell, Tom Birch, Victor Pasmore, Xsite