Forging Futures: Breaking Barriers for Neurodivergent Blacksmiths

Help us raise £36,000 to provide immediate, free access to life-changing blacksmithing support for neurodivergent students across the UK

The Story Behind Our Campaign

For over 10 years, Hereford Make CIC has been supporting blacksmithing students, and we've discovered something remarkable: the individuals who benefit most from our services are neurodivergent. In fact, 70% of our 2025 cohort identify as neurodivergent – reflecting a wider pattern where blacksmithing naturally attracts people whose minds work differently.

But here's the problem: we're trapped in a heartbreaking cycle. The very students who need us most often can't access our support when they need it most – at the start of their journey when funding is tightest and bureaucracy is most overwhelming.

The Cycle We're Fighting to Break

The Current Reality:

New students don't know we exist before starting their course, so they don't know to save money for our services.

When we apply to funding bodies, they want individuals to apply themselves – adding bureaucratic burden with no guarantee of success and a 3-month delay

Colleges lack the capacity to apply on students' behalf

Meanwhile, talented individuals miss critical opportunities to develop their skills and careers

The Impact:

Students struggle or drop out: "I would have to resit my first year if it were not for Hereford Make's help"

Potential goes unrealised

The heritage craft industry loses talented makers

Individuals face limited life chances due to circumstances outside their control

Why Neurodivergent Students Thrive in Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing attracts people who often struggle with traditional educational approaches and paperwork – and there's usually a compelling reason behind that. The craft naturally suits many neurodivergent strengths:

Attention to detail in finishing work

Creative problem-solving when projects don't go to plan

Sustained focus on long-term projects

Innovative approaches to traditional techniques

Hands-on learning that bypasses traditional barriers

Our students tell us: "Hereford Make has helped me develop as a smith and as a person" and "It's not just the equipment but the support, particularly form filling, that makes a real difference."

Our Unique Approach: Neurodivergent Supporting Neurodivergent

What makes Hereford Make different? Our staff are neurodivergent too. This enables us to:

Communicate ideas differently

Create bespoke learning aids

Find ways of working that suit each individual

Understand the challenges from lived experience

Provide the practical support that makes the difference – including help with the dreaded paperwork

Our founder James Baker has been shortlisted for The Oliver McGowan Training Award at the National Autism and Learning Disability Awards, recognising his impact on people attending training and his work with Hereford Make.

What We Do: More Than Just a Workshop

At our creative hub, we provide:

Flexible, Accessible Learning

Adjustable workbench heights and sensory-friendly environments

Visual guides alongside verbal instruction

One-to-one support when needed

Work at your own pace without pressure

Designated quiet areas for breaks

Practical Career Support

Help with form-filling and bureaucracy

Guidance on self-employment (often the path chosen by neurodivergent individuals)

Support transitioning into employment

Connection with our community of professional blacksmiths and farriers

Real-World Impact

Our community of blacksmiths, farriers and creative artists provides welcome support as well as the opportunity to establish joint ventures, successful collaborations and economies of scale. We help students develop their creative skills – no matter their experience, they have access to our extensive range of resources.

What Your Donation Will Achieve

£36,000 will transform lives by:

✅ Removing immediate barriers – providing free access at the point of use

✅ Supporting students UK-wide – expanding our reach beyond Herefordshire

✅ Enabling instant support based on complex individual needs

✅ Breaking the funding delay cycle – no more 3-month waits while potential fades

✅ Setting up careers – whether in self-employment or working for others

With current processes, we can only help a handful of students at a time. With your support, we can help dozens.

The Urgent Need

We estimate that 70% of people on blacksmithing courses are neurodivergent, yet traditional funding systems aren't designed for their needs.

While bureaucracy delays support, students struggle, drop out, or never discover their potential.

This isn't just about blacksmithing – it's about giving individuals with limited life chances the opportunity to fulfil their potential in a field where their different way of thinking is actually a superpower.

Why Crowdfunding? Why Now?

We're trying something different because traditional funding isn't working. Grant applications often:

Put additional burden on struggling students

Involve lengthy delays when immediate support is needed

Require capacity that overstretched colleges don't have

Crowdfunding allows us to act immediately – to be there when students need us most, at the beginning of their journey when support can change everything.

Our Promise to You

Every pound you donate will directly support neurodivergent students to:

Access best in class blacksmithing facilities and expert guidance

Receive personalised support that works with their strengths

Build careers in a field where they can truly thrive

Enable 24/7 access to an expert employability and careers portal

Develop confidence and independence

Join a supportive community that understands their journey

Join Our Community of Supporters

Whether you donate £5 or £500, you're joining a movement that believes different minds forge extraordinary futures.

Your support will help us:

Preserve heritage skills while embracing neurodiversity

Create pathways to meaningful careers

Build a more inclusive creative industry

Prove that with the right support, everyone can forge their own future

How to Help