Impact

The Tute exists to make creativity part of everyday life in Cambois and beyond. From weekly community groups to nationally recognised festivals and performances, our impact is rooted in people, place, and participation.

We work with residents of all ages to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, build confidence, and create ambitious artistic work that speaks from — and to — our community. Many participants describe The Tute as a lifeline: a place to belong, contribute, and be seen.

Volunteering & Skills Development

Volunteers are at the heart of The Tute. From front-of-house and festival stewarding to technical support, documentation, gardening, and practical maintenance, volunteering offers meaningful ways to get involved, learn new skills, and help shape what happens here.
Volunteering with us often leads to further opportunities — including paid freelance work, training placements, and leadership roles within projects — and plays a vital role in sustaining our work year-round.
To volunteer, please email: admin@thetute.uk

Recognition & Reach

Our work has gained growing regional and national attention. We are proud to have been shortlisted as a finalist for Best Venue or Museum at the North East Culture Awards, recognising both the quality of our programming and the significance of a community-led arts venue in a former Miners’ Welfare Institute.
Our projects and festivals have also been featured in the press, including coverage in Total Theatre, which highlighted The Tute’s distinctive approach to participation, place, and contemporary performance.
[Link: https://totaltheatre.org.uk/toot-tute/]

Evaluation & Learning

We are committed to reflection, transparency, and learning. Independent evaluation plays a key role in shaping our future work and demonstrating the social, cultural, and health impacts of our programmes.
Rude Health Festival 2024 – Evaluation Document Make link to PDF doc in folder
Rude Health Festival 2025 – Evaluation Document (forthcoming)

Film & Documentation

Many of our projects live on through film and digital documentation, extending their reach beyond the venue and preserving local stories.