ABOUT

Our Story

Urban Hax began in 2014 with a simple belief: that access to tools, space and shared learning can unlock potential.

Over the last decade we’ve grown through doing — responding to need, testing ideas, and building trust with communities and partners. Today, we operate and support multiple spaces and programmes, while continuing to ask how making can contribute to fairer, more resilient futures.

Our Vision

Urban Hax exists to enable everyone to discover their true potential and bring ideas to life through imaginative learning and making.

Our Mission

We create accessible making spaces where anyone can play, explore, learn and invent – cultivating a thriving community where skills are nurtured and collaborations blossom across Walsall and beyond.

OUR SIX
KEY VALUES

We are proud of our values and although they may not have been formally written down until now, we have been acting on them since Urban Hax began in 2014. Less talking, more doing is our mantra! The values guide us in everything we do and help to create a culture where creativity does not just belong to a few, it belongs in everyone’s hands.

Inspiring the alternative

We celebrate difference, weirdness and curiosity in everything we do. We think outside the box to find new and better ways to do and create things. This is how we nurture forward thinking and inspire people to pave their own way.

Embracing ‘what if?’

We believe there are no bad ideas. We challenge assumptions, experiment with change and play with possibility. When we dare to do what others don’t or reimagine the impossible, we open doors for innovation and growth.

Harnessing synergy

Together we can make great things. Harnessing the magic of collaboration is central to everything we do – provoking conversation, sparking ideas, sharing skills, and connecting people within our network to enable new opportunities.

Sustaining futures

We challenge ourselves to make a positive impact on our planet and imagine a better future for our community. We are passionate about protecting skills which have been intrinsic to our region and discover progressive approaches in enabling our community to work together and overcome the social issues they face.

Nurturing people

We see the potential in everyone and enjoy finding unconventional ways to help people develop new skills and confidence in their abilities. We believe in empowering people to follow wherever their ideas may lead, to have fun along the way and maybe even become one of the makers of the future.

Community in common

We are a community of equals. We love to gather different people under one roof and invite them in to our learning, making and play spaces. It is about promoting wellbeing, developing self-belief and creating connections.

MEET THE TEAM

GEOFF

Geoff is an experienced professional working across business development, technology and regional innovation. He holds degrees in Physics, Management Information Systems and Regional Development. He is founder and director of Urban Hax CIC, a community makerspace and incubator, and leads the Makernet project. Previously, he founded Digital Native Academy, delivering award-winning digital projects. With over twenty years’ experience, he has worked across public and private sectors, securing funding and supporting innovation, skills and enterprise development.

DETA

Deta is the Founder and Director of Urban Hax CIC, and a specialist in digital technology and design innovation. With over 10 years’ experience as a Technology analyst at BBC R&D, he brings credible, industry-level expertise grounded in real-world application.

Deta’s work is focused on breaking down complex technologies and translating them into accessible, practical tools for communities. Through Urban Hax, he leads the development of inclusive makerspace integration and digital programmes that enable individuals, creatives, and organisations to engage with, understand, and benefit from emerging technologies—regardless of background or experience.

He is particularly driven by the role technology can play in reducing inequality and unlocking opportunity, ensuring that innovation is not limited to industry or academia, but embedded within local communities where it can have the greatest impact.

ANNE

Anne is an engineer, maker and creative practitioner with a strong background in hands-on problem solving and collaboration. She holds a degree in Automotive Engineering and spent over twenty years building and racing hovercraft internationally. She is also known for appearing on Scrapheap Challenge. Professionally, she led a college Fab Lab for ten years, supporting others to create and innovate. Now a director, she combines technical skill, creativity and community to help people learn, experiment and make with confidence.

JOE

Joe is an avid artist, skateboarder and bass player. Since joining us in 2021, he has worked as our in-house Makerspace Technician. Over this time, he has developed a strong understanding of the tools, software and equipment used across the company. He is also the first point of call for teaching residents how to use the facilities at Urban Hax, including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing, dye sublimation and large-format printing. Joe also handles any bureau work that comes through the door, as well as maintaining and servicing the machinery within the space.

TARA

Project Administrator

MICK

Makernet Business Development Manager

OUR PROJECTS

We run and facilitate a range of projects including makerspaces and co working environments across Walsall. Each responds to local needs, but all share the same values: openness, kindness, and collaboration.