Hereford MAKE

21/08/2025

In response to feedback and in preparation for the new academic year we have additional student deals.

11/07/2025

Ever wonder what Hereford Make is all about? This infographic says it all! We're not just forging metal - we're forging futures.

Every £1 you give helps us make a difference worth £20 - whether it's helping someone find a meaningful trade or offering a safe, supportive space where everyone belongs.

It's your support that makes all of this possible. By donating and sharing this post with your friends, you're not just helping us - you're actively contributing to our mission of forging futures. Every little bit helps.

https:https://gofund.me/05c744be

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09/07/2025

From the forge to folklore - Did you know blacksmiths have always been the true creators of legends?

Donate: https://gofund.me/05c744be

07/07/2025

The Cycle We're Fighting to Break

📍The Current Reality:

❤️New students don't know we exist, so they don't save to use 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."

📍Support: https://www.gofundme.com/f/neurodivergent-student-blacksmithing-support?fbclid=IwY2xjawLY01ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB4bEtxa0huMVRJVGxxZ25JAR5MZje2JHahAFUAgfyUClh405OWvvZIL1SNmhpkYpnJWw563w2UcV-iAZLcng_aem_H4Rb-uwTGOAAgnPq08vu3A

04/07/2025

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.

To support us:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/neurodivergent-student-blacksmithing-support?fbclid=IwY2xjawLUoiBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETB4bEtxa0huMVRJVGxxZ25JAR7sAGchKNkFI2DSGXYX092e9slp2dRanhMmlCr7THnPqJGLn47Z3INH-UotIQ_aem_qNLpVEQW4mVKO4WsGV4-iA

27/06/2025

We're trying something new to get ahead of the students that need our help. Please share, like and donate if you can.

Forging Futures: Breaking Barriers for Neurodivergent Blacksmiths Help us… James Baker needs your support for Neurodivergent student blacksmithing support

01/06/2025

Couple of creations by
make

20/05/2025

Shout out to James who has been nominated for Best Oliver McGowan Trainer by The Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards 🥳

James is Managing Director at Hereford Make and clearly making a big impact nationally too! 👏🏼

23/04/2025

Blacksmiths in Hereford! This Saturday, Make is holding a making session! We're building up stock for our new markets program - come and make stock with us, and if it sells at market, you get paid a cut! No need to be a current Make member, come and hang out with our community and do some smithing!