Work of Iron: Expanding Access to Blacksmithing
Work of Iron is a community-focused social enterprise forge based in Granton, North Edinburgh. It provides subsidised access to blacksmithing education and facilities, supporting residents and marginalised people while revitalising a heritage craft for contemporary practice.
Forging Skills and Confidence
North Edinburgh communities including Granton, Pilton, and Muirhouse experience significant levels of deprivation, whilst also facing social and health challenges. These include social isolation, reduced physical and mental wellbeing, and a lack of connection to place. While access to arts, culture, and heritage is proven to support wellbeing and community cohesion, people living in areas of deprivation often have significantly reduced access to these opportunities, further deepening inequality.
Work of Iron was founded on the belief that meaningful access to blacksmithing can help address these challenges. Through hands-on, inclusive craft education, the forge provides opportunities for non-traditional learners to engage with heritage skills and alternative education and career pathways. Participants develop physical strength and confidence, build self-esteem, and experience the satisfaction of learning complex skills in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. Working side by side at the forge encourages connection between people from different backgrounds, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen local relationships.
Their Pay-It-Forward scheme supports subsidised courses for individuals who would otherwise be excluded due to financial hardship
Founded by Jack Waygood and incorporated in 2025, Work of Iron operates from a state-of-the-art forge located in The Pitt in Granton. The forge supports learning, production, and community engagement. Alongside a wide range of blacksmithing courses, the forge produces high-quality contemporary ironwork including tools, furniture, sculpture, and commissions with income reinvested into improving facilities and expanding subsidised access. Work of Iron offers a distinctive model in Scotland, combining heritage craft, contemporary practice, and community benefit within a single, accessible space.
Meet the Founder
Jack is a blacksmith with extensive international experience and a Masters degree from Edinburgh College of Art. He has worked globally as a journeyman, learning from renowned forges and craftspeople, including on projects like The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, knife-making in Japan, and axe-making in Sweden. Jack specialises in both traditional techniques and contemporary design, with a deep knowledge of the history of ironwork.
He has taught blacksmithing at university level and featured on BBC1’s Make it at Market and the We Are Makers podcast. Jack draws on personal experiences of adversity to promote inclusivity, community and social impact through Work of Iron, producing both functional and artistic metalwork. His philosophy is captured by his motto: “Where there is a will, there’s a way.”
How Firstport supported Work of Iron
In 2025, Jack successfully secured support from Start It with guidance from Relationship Manager Jacky Tjivikua. Start It helps budding social entrepreneurs in Scotland turn ideas into real social enterprises by providing up to £5,000 to cover essential startup costs. It supports founders who have a clear social or environmental mission, a strong business concept, and the drive to make a positive impact, even if they haven’t previously run a business.
Start It enabled Work of Iron to establish an ‘Access Fund’ – a dedicated pool of resources used to subsidise course fees and remove financial barriers to participation. By doing this, they can welcome a more diverse group of people into their courses, ensuring that blacksmithing is open to all, regardless of economic background.
What’s next for Work of Iron?
Continuing to support the North Edinburgh community, Work of Iron aims to offer apprenticeships in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland, along with work experience placements and journeyman opportunities. The business also plans to host one-off events, develop merchandise, and expand employment opportunities as it grows. Work of Iron will also be working in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts to reach vulnerable adults and young people.
The next step is to invest in a portable workshop, allowing Work of Iron to attend shows and broaden its outreach. Throughout all of this, the company remains committed to fair and honest business practices and to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where people can learn, grow, and benefit from the craft of blacksmithing.
Follow the latest updates from Work of Iron on their website or on Instagram.
Curious about Start It? Join one of our upcoming Office Hours.