About us
Gateshead Community Organisation CIC has been creating opportunities for local people since 2018. Our focus is on improving employment outcomes for people facing barriers, with support shaped around their strengths, needs and ambitions.
Our work now brings together person-centred job coaching, supported and transitional work placements, food enterprise and community gardening. Pie in the Sky, Deals on Meals, Callendar Court and Wagon Way Wild Garden provide settings where people can learn practical skills, build confidence and make connections.
Recent activity includes expanding supported-placement capacity following our successful CRF funding bid, developing referral relationships with DWP, delivering holiday activities and food provision, and sharing lived experience through our Human Library project.
Our beginnings: Elgin Community Kitchen
In October 2018, Elgin Community Kitchen launched as a food-based social enterprise. Its early achievements included:
In excess of 2000 meals to local children in the holidays
Healthy eating workshops for 80 children
25 weekly pay as you feel Fareshare markets
4 corporate buffets
Fully inclusive volunteering opportunities for 6 people
Work placements for 8 students
Chargeable day service for one young person
Employment for 6 people
2200 hot meals delivered and served to pensioners in their own homes
400 hot meals delivered to Age concern for dementia cafe service users
Partnership work with other social enterprises
Low cost healthy food to the Children centre users
Creating opportunity, reducing isolation and bringing our community together
A couple of our smiley volunteers.
Working to keep our local community fed with delicious meals.
Our directors
Our board brings together enterprise, education, healthcare and community experience. Corrina Mulholland, Luisa Scott and Brooke Hope guide GCO’s work and help shape opportunities for local people.
Corrina Mulholland — Founder and Director
Corrina is a serial entrepreneur, qualified teacher and community leader who helps people build confidence and rediscover their strengths. Having built, grown, transferred and sold businesses across different sectors, she brings practical experience of the challenges of running an enterprise.
At GCO, her work includes employability support, mentoring, coaching and helping other social enterprises develop. She combines an understanding of neurodivergence and reasonable adjustments with structured, empathetic guidance. Her background in teaching and social enterprise business support informs her practical, person-centred approach.
Luisa Scott — Director
Luisa is a Gateshead-born medical professional, entrepreneur and community leader. With more than 20 years of clinical nursing experience, she brings expertise in safeguarding, governance and operational compliance.
She founded and chairs Friends of Gateshead Town Centre and co-runs a community pub on Gateshead High Street. Her work connects residents, traders, education providers and public services to improve the town centre and support community-led change.
Brooke Hope — Director
Brooke is a North East vocalist, acoustic musician and qualified teacher. Her education work includes supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training, helping them build confidence and explore academic and vocational routes.
She brings creativity, inclusive teaching and experience of working with diverse groups to GCO. Her work across arts, education and community leadership reflects a commitment to helping people find their voice and realise their potential.
Past directors
We recognise the contribution of those who have served on GCO’s board: Deborah Clayton, Cheryle Walker, Kurran Hawksley, Alexandra Millican, Sam Ridley, Cameron Elliott, Cameron Manges and Kacie Burns.
Brooke Hope also served on the board from 2019 to 2022 before returning in 2026. Our board has evolved as GCO has developed, bringing new experience and perspectives into the organisation.
Developing people through directorship
GCO’s approach to development extends to its board. Mentoring and opportunities to contribute to decisions can help people build confidence, learn how a social enterprise works and develop leadership experience.
Brooke’s story: learning through leadership
Brooke came to GCO with a Performing Arts background and a strong interest in using creativity to benefit her community. She met Corrina through her former tutor, Cheryle Walker.
Brooke described learning from Corrina about running a business and writing funding bids. Taking part in GCO gave her a setting in which to contribute her ideas, learn from others and help shape community activity.
Today, she is a qualified teacher supporting young people outside education, employment or training, alongside her music career. She is now serving again as a GCO director, bringing those skills and experience back to the board.
This illustrates how mentoring and participation in community leadership can create opportunities for personal development while strengthening an organisation. Brooke’s wider achievements reflect her own work and experience as well as the support she received through GCO.