Training Courses
At Hereford Make we are delighted to be able to offer a range of cost-effective training courses that provide you and your colleagues with the essential information and skills needed to help people more effectively.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training tier 1
for anyone who needs to understand the general support requirements of autistic people or those with a learning disability.
£250
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training tier 2
for anyone providing care and support for autistic people or those with a learning disability in a workplace or public environment.
£1,200
Neurodiversity Makers Workshop Training
for anyone working in either a vocational or educational environment who are looking how best to support neurodivergent colleagues.
£500
(follow-up options available)
Neurodiversity at Work: Inclusive Practice for Creative Spaces
Nearly 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent, many of whom are already in your workforce or client base, yet all too often, their needs go unsupported which can lead to:
Communication breakdowns
Health and safety risks
Poor retention and burnout
Legal non-compliance
Reputation damage
At Hereford Make we also offer a 3-hour interactive workshops designed for creative and maker spaces to build inclusive, supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals - staff, clients, and collaborators alike - which can help equip staff and decision-makers with the practical tools, legal understanding and communication strategies to support neurodivergent individuals effectively.
Aimed at creative studios, SMEs, maker spaces, design workshops, and creative producers working with or employing neurodivergent individuals, our training programmes are delivered either on-line or in-person and are both fully interactive and trainer-led.
Who Will Benefit
Line Managers & Supervisors – practical ways to support team members
HR Professionals – legal duties and resources
Studio & Workshop Managers – tools to handle day-to-day challenges
Senior Leaders – inclusion as a strategic strength
Neurodivergent Staff & Clients – improved communication and support
Takeaway Benefits
Better communication and collaboration
Clearer, adaptable management practices
Improved wellbeing and retention
Reduced discrimination and legal risk
Stronger teams and creative problem-solving
More inclusive brand identity
Flexible approaches to health & safety
What's Included
Duration: 3 hours (online or in-person)
Delivery : Online via Zoom/Teams or in-person
Group Size: Up to 15 participants
Resources: Slide deck, tools, checklist, follow-up resource pack
Fee: £500
Custom Options
Custom action plan template for your organisation with follow on support. Fee: From £250
Workplace walk-through and tailored advice. Fee: £250
Training Overview: What's Included
1. Understanding Neurodiversity
What is neurodiversity?
Types and prevalence
Common traits and behaviours
2. Working Well Together
Neurodivergent experiences in creative/maker settings
Communication challenges, sensory issues, executive function
Strengths and coping strategies
3. Rights, Duties & Reasonable Adjustments
2010 Equality Act
What’s a reasonable adjustment?
Examples from creative and workshop environments
4. Designing Inclusive Spaces
Communication styles and physical workspace design
Tools, routines, and technologies
Real-world case studies
5. Practical Action Planning
Inclusive action planning tools
Templates and next steps
Signposting to further support
Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012
It is important to remember that the Public Services (Social Value) Act currently requires all UK public bodies to carefully consider and maximise the economic, social, and environmental benefits for their local communities when purchasing training services.
This means that before awarding a training contract, all public authorities must consider whether the services that they are looking to buy could improve and help well-being by promoting local jobs, supporting community initiatives and strengthening their local economy, rather than solely focusing on the financial cost.
Our Trainers
James Baker
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
Colin is an experienced health and social care trainer, delivering 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.
To find out more, call 01432 271255 or email : AT@herefordmake.org
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training. The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement that CQC-registered providers must ensure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the standardised training that was developed for this purpose and is the preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff.