North East Arts News

Issue 112

Rob Huggins’ journey to leading one of the UK’s most unique community theatres is both inspiring and unconventional. Originally from northwest London, Rob moved to the North East nearly 30 years ago for university. Over time, he built a life, a career, and a charity that has transformed countless lives. His passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities has been the driving force behind his work for over two decades. A passion for empowerment “I’ve always specialised in working with people with learning disabilities. In 2003, I founded the organisation that now runs Gosforth Civic Theatre – Liberdade. The core idea then, as it remains today, was about giving people with learning disabilities choice—offering them power and opportunities that they otherwise might not have had.” Initially, the organisation started as an apprenticeship scheme to train young people with learning disabilities in running an organisation. As Rob admits, he was learning…