About Us
Neurobranch is an initiative from Hereford Make CIC has been created to enable individuals, communities and voluntary organisations to find the coping mechanisms, develop transferable skills and accessible resources, focused on arts and crafts, to address the challenges, problems and barriers preventing them to fulfil their potential.
Such challenges, problems and barriers arising from issues including, but not limited to well being, mental health, disability, isolation, financial, economic, education, learning difficulties and rurality
Our Team
James Baker
Principle and Co-Founder of Hereford Make CIC
James is a creative practitioner, neurodiversity trainer, and nominee for the 2025 Autism and Leading Disability Awards. As leader of Hereford Make CIC for more than 10 years, he supports individuals with complex needs in creative and manufacturing settings.
Combining lived experience as an autistic person with professional expertise, James delivers warm, practical training that has real-world impact benefiting both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals.
Colin Hanley
Independent Trainer, CH Care Training
As an experienced health and social care trainer, Colin delivers high-quality courses to staff across residential, domiciliary, and community settings. With a professional background in care and a passion for empowering others, he specialises in translating complex legislation and best practice into practical, engaging training.
Colin is an accredited trainer of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, committed to promoting inclusive, person-centred care that improves outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Patrick Smith
REMT-P, Dip E&PHC, Dip SM
Patrick is an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated professional with 22 years service as a front line medic with the Royal Army Medical Corps, having served across the globe with different active units. Following his retirement from the RAMC, Patrick has built up over 22 years experience as a Health & Social Care tutor, teaching on over 35 different Health Care, Social Care and Pre Hospital courses within both the private and NHS sectors.
A Practical Approach
At Hereford Make, we believe that creativity flourishes when everyone feels welcome and supported. Our community of blacksmiths, farriers and creative artists provides welcome support, and this extends to ensuring our creative hub is available and accessible to all neurotypes.
We understand that neurological differences – including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others – bring unique strengths to creative work. For those joining us for a taster session or developing their blacksmithing skills, we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can focus on developing their creative talent.