Vulcan Works

NN1 Dev Club #8
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Vulcan Works, 34-38 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 1EW, United Kingdom
#8: Hack & Share – a rundown of side projects by Northamptonshire geeks

After a very well-received Hack & Share event that we hosted in January, we’re doing it again! Come and join us for a series of snappy presentations and demos, where community members can showcase their side projects. This is the essence of passion for software!
Schedule
18:00 – 18:30 Meet and Greet
18:30 – 20:00 Rundown of side projects by Northamptonshire geeks

Series of snappy presentations and demos where everyone can share the results of their weekend hacks. In no particular order, not limited to any category. The idea is to present what our local geeks are about and connect people with similar interests.

TMM IRL: Are You Ready For Ads? The Speedrun Edition
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Silvia Coletto, Founder of The Paid Ads School
Topic: Are You Ready For Ads? The Speedrun Edition 🏃🏼‍♀️ 💨 💨
Join us for a whistle-stop tour of the paid ads landscape — designed to help you figure out if you’re truly ready to dive in. Silvia will walk you through everything you need to consider before pressing “go”, share real-world examples, and provide ballpark starting budgets (spoiler: they vary a lot depending on your industry). Whether you’re on the fence about starting ads or you’re already running them but not seeing the results you expected, this session will give you clarity, confidence, and a solid sense of direction.
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
——————–
Partnered with Digital Northants, putting local businesses in touch with digital companies who can help solve their problems, to encourage the growth of business in Northamptonshire. Check them out at https://digitalnorthants.com/
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
——————–
And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £3 to £30 (the average attendees choose to pay £8.79 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
——————–
See you there!

Beyond the Business: Strategies for a Successful Exit
2025-09-09 09:30 - 14:00
Back by popular demand!
TC Group’s excited to be partnering once again with the South Midlands Growth Hub, Yellow Yoyo and EMW Law to deliver ‘Beyond the Business: Strategies for a Successful Exit’ – a must-attend event for local entrepreneurs and business owners considering or preparing for a business exit.
Too often, exit planning feels like a distant concern. But the truth is, successful exits start with early strategic planning, which strengthens your business and maximises its value over time.
Join us on Tuesday 9 September, 9.30am – 2pm at Vulcan Works for this free event, where our TC Group experts Debbie Ince, Head of Tax and Trevor Shaw, Tax Director will be on the panel, sharing essential insights on:
Exit strategies & options
Preparing for due diligence
Maximising business value
Protecting your legacy
Developing your exit strategy

My Innovation Journey
2025-09-04 10:00 - 12:00
Northamptonshire is a powerhouse of innovation – home to global brands like Warner’s Gin, Weetabix, and GXO Logistics, not to mention the thousands of SMEs that are always innovating for their customers, their businesses and their communities. With a rich heritage of enterprise and a vibrant ecosystem of forward-thinking businesses, it’s the perfect place for innovation to thrive.
Fuelling Innovation is a dynamic campaign designed to ignite creativity, foster collaboration, and build a stronger future for businesses across the region. Through a packed programme of events, workshops, conferences, and networking sessions, we’re sparking new ideas and driving growth.
As part of Fuelling Innovation, NNBN have partnered with Vulcan Works in Northampton to deliver “MY INNOVATION JOURNEY” – two hours of conversation about how local businesses have innovated with real people talking about real stories.
You’ll be able to hear their personal journeys, the support they’ve received and what innovation means to them.

On the panel across the two hour sessions will be:
Nick Wilson, the Disabled Adventurer
Alastair McLeod, The Business Doctors
Pritul Khagram, Mavis Technologies
Dolores Sanders, Total Control Pro

You’ll also be able to raise questions directly with them as we talk innovation.

Book your free seat here and join in the conversation.

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works
2025-09-02 18:00 - 20:00
Event Overview:
Join us for a hands-on creative workshop where you’ll learn how to make your very own hand-stitched leather journal. In this session, you’ll be guided step-by-step through a beginner-friendly bookbinding process to stitch blank pages into a soft, leather-wrap cover.
Your finished journal will be A6 size (approximately 10.5 x 15 cm) — perfect for sketching, note-taking, or journaling. All leather used has been thoughtfully sourced from materials diverted from the waste stream, making this a sustainable and mindful craft.
About the Host:
Hi! I’m Jenni, captain of The Craft Fantastic. From my home studio in Northampton, I create handmade journals, stationery, and bookish gifts — often using rescued leather to give new life to beautiful materials. I’m passionate about traditional crafts and can’t wait to share the joy of bookbinding with you.
Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to expand your skills, this workshop offers a welcoming and relaxed space to learn something new.
Event cost is for materials, food and drink for the event.
Event timeline
6pm – Drinks, nibbles & a chat
6:20pm – Journal Making
7:15pm – Break
7:30pm – Journal Making
8:00pm – Home time

Charity Tuesdays - The Lowdown Northampton
2025-08-26, 2025-08-19, 2025-08-12, 2025-08-05
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in August, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This August, we’re supporting The Lowdown – They offers a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing.
They will be proving both a money charity box and QR code for their online giving page Donate | The Lowdown | Supporting Young People

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-08-21 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Tazmin Suleman will be sharing how to be successful without burning out.
Tickets are limited by desk space, so sign up now to grab your spot:

World Photography Day
2025-08-19 09:00 - 16:30
Ready to step into the spotlight for your business?
Join us for a day of Headshot Mini Sessions designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are ready to show up confidently for their business.
If you’ve been putting off getting professional photos because you’re camera-shy, short on time, or working with a tight budget, this is for you!

The Experience
Perfect for you if:

You’re a new business owner and need your first set of professional images.
You’re a busy entrepreneur who can’t commit to a full brand shoot right now.
You feel nervous in front of the camera and need a gentle, confidence-building approach.
You want stunning professional headshots but are on a budget.

What you’ll get:

A relaxed 30-minute session in the gorgeous setting of the Vulcan Works Co-Working Space in Northampton.
Expert guidance to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Beautiful, professional headshots that authentical showcases you and your business.
A warm, supportive experience that celebrates your entrepreneurial journey.

These sessions have been designed by brand photographer Emma Annie Colton (who is a specialist in using photography to build-confidence) to be relaxed, encouraging, and focused on bringing out your authentic self.
The Vulcan Works have provided the perfect backdrop for stylish, professional, and warm imagery that reflects you and your business.
You’ll leave not just with gorgeous photos, but with a renewed sense of confidence in showing up for your business.

Event details
Date: 19th August 2025, World Photography Day
Location: Vulcan Works, Northampton
Session length: 30 minutes
Investment: £95 per session

Book your confidence-boosting session
Whether you’re launching a new venture, refreshing your brand, or simply ready to step out from behind the scenes, these mini sessions are designed with busy entrepreneurs like you in mind.
Limited spaces available so secure your spot and take that important step towards being more visible in your business.

Charity Tuesdays - Breast Friends Northampton
2025-07-29, 2025-07-22, 2025-07-15, 2025-07-08, 2025-07-01
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in July, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This July, we’re supporting Breast Friends Northampton — they are aligned to both Northants Hospitals and we work closely with consultants and staff in both hospitals. They offer support in the form of gift bags, monthly and fortnightly coffee mornings and evenings, a choir, sewing group, gardening group, weekly Pilates and exercise classes, swimming trips, canal trips, book club etc. BFN have a secondary group for ladies who are being treated for secondary cancer.
✨ Come work, connect, and give back—all in one inspiring space!
You can donate physical items (must be these specific brands)

Dr Organic Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree
Set of 12 x Lip Balms Aloe Vera Long Lasting Moisturizing Lip Care
Cello Ballpoint Black Pens, Pack of 24
NIVEA Soft Moisturising Cream (75ml)
Bio-Oil Body Skincare Oil (60ml)
Beaupretty Travel Spray Bottle 10pcs 100ML
Technic Ultimate Brow Kit
Tetley Fresh Mint Tea, Box of 20 Teabags
WF Graham Set of 4 A5 Brain Games Word Search Books
Safety First Aid Group HypaClean Moist Wound Cleansing Wipes, Pack of 100
3pcs Travel Spray Bottle Fine Mist Refillable Travel Containers 30mlJA Striped Luxury Feather Touch Socks Hot Pink UK 4-8
Gejoy Birsppy 24 Pieces Foldable Flying Disc Fans Set

Or you can donate to their Amazon Wish List and Just Giving Page

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-07-17 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Charlotte Sargeant will be sharing how to use audience insights to make buying a no-brainer.

TMM IRL: Decoding the Human Touch – Practical Tips for Engaging User Experiences
2025-07-03 18:00 - 20:00
The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Thomas Reeve, Head of Design at Zyte
Topic: Decoding the Human Touch – Practical Tips for Engaging User Experiences
Ever wondered what really makes people tick? Join design expert Tom (packing a mighty 15+ years!) as he dives deep into the fascinating world of human behaviour. Forget the jargon, this is about real, actionable tips you can use tomorrow to craft truly engaging experiences that actually connect with your users.
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas

Gather & Create @ Vulcan Works
2025-07-01 18:00 - 20:30
Being Creative When You Don’t Feel Like It: An Exploration of Mental Health and the Creative Process
Join us for an engaging and compassionate event that explores the complex connection between mental health and creativity. When inspiration feels distant or motivation runs low, how can we continue to create meaningfully—and without self-judgment?
This session will take a thoughtful look at the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany creative work. Through a blend of open discussion and practical tools, we’ll talk about the nature of creativity, understand how this relates to mental well-being, and learn how to use this understanding to find renewed energy for your craft, even on the tough days.
As part of this experience, attendees will also participate in guided creative exercises designed to gently spark inspiration and reconnect you with your imagination. These low-pressure, supportive activities are accessible to all—whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply looking for a new way to express yourself.
This event is ideal for creatives of all backgrounds—writers, visual artists, performers, and makers—who are looking for ways to stay connected to their practice while honouring their mental health.

Julys host is Andrew Bond – Andrew has been a multi-disciplinary digital creative for over 10 years and now works as a voice actor and creative producer of The Kingdom Sleeps podcast

Vulcan Makers Market
2025-06-27 11:00 - 15:00
Find a variety of exclusive products from local brands, from fashion to handmade goods.

If you are interested in being a part of Vulcan Works Makers Market please fill out our jotform link here

Charity Tuesdays - Baby Basics
2025-06-24, 2025-06-17, 2025-06-10, 2025-06-03
Charity Tuesdays are BACK at Vulcan Works!
Every Tuesday in June, enjoy FREE hot desking—all we ask is a donation to our Charity of the Month
This June, we’re supporting @babybasicsnorthampton —an amazing charity providing essential starter packs to parents and newborns in vulnerable situations. From financial hardship to housing issues, refugee support & more, they’re making a real difference
✨ Come work, connect, and give back—all in one inspiring space!
Baby Basics Northampton is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to supporting new parents and newborns in vulnerable situations.
The charity provides Moses baskets filled with essential items to mothers and families who are struggling to cope with the financial and practical challenges of caring for a new baby. By offering much-needed essentials and equipment, Baby Basics helps those who are unable to afford these crucial items on their own.
New/Preloved Items (in good condition):

Moses baskets and sheets
Blankets and towels
Baby clothing (newborn to 3 months)
Coats, snowsuits, and jumpers (up to 6 months)
Soft toys suitable from birth (no batteries)
Microwave or cold-water sterilisers (non-electrical) Brand New Items (unopened and in date):

For Baby:

Nappies (sizes 0, 1, 2)
Baby wipes
Baby shampoo, lotion, wash, and bubble bath
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
Cotton wool balls
Baby bottles, bottle brushes, and sterilising tablets

For Mum:

Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Breast pads
Maternity and sanitary towels
Hand wash and soap
Toiletry gift sets
Boxes of chocolates (unopened and in date)

Please Note: Baby Basics Northampton cannot accept large items such as cots, prams, or car seats, as well as used or out-of-date items. For a full list of accepted and unaccepted items, please refer to their guidelines.

The Vulcan Sessions 10: AI and Brand Marketing
2025-05-30 10:00 - 12:00
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The Vulcan Sessions 10: AI, Brand Marketing and Business Success

Friday, May 30, 2025
10:00 AM 12:00 PM

vulcan works36 Guildhall RdEngland, NN1 1EWUnited Kingdom (map)

How to stay true to your brand in an AI-driven, digital-first world
Frances Gordon
As AI-generated content becomes mainstream, being true to a distinctive brand voice is more critical than ever. In this session, you’ll discover how to define clear guidelines that can be translated into effective AI prompts. So you can communicate your unique brand personality in a consistent way, across all your content.
Delegates will walk away with these take-aways:

Strategies to define and refine your brand voice as you integrate AI
We’ll look at practical exercises to identify brand voice traits clearly enough to communicate to AI. I’ll show a simple template to document brand voice principles effectively.

Techniques for turning brand voice guidelines into effective AI prompts
We’ll have some fun translating abstract voice attributes (e.g., “confident” or “friendly”) into prompt language.

How to keep consistency in voice and tone across human and AI-generated content
We’ll go through a checklist for editing and reviewing AI-generated content to make it consistent with human-generated materials.

About Frances Gordon
Frances Gordon is Director of Narratology, a boutique content agency based in Northampton. She helps banks, fintechs and tech companies create and manage content that stays true to their voice in an AI-driven world. Her training courses focus on using AI responsibly to maintain quality, clarity and connection.
Frances has led content teams at fintechs Oradian and Backbase, and was VP Content Strategist at Barclaycard UK. She lectures on the localisation Master’s at the University of Strasbourg. Frances is a sought-after speaker on content ethics, plain language, AI, and UX writing and has presented at TechCommUK, PLAIN, Content Strategy Applied, World IA Day and ConfabEU, andy many others.
From prompts to profits: AI for business success
Damian Mark Smyth
In this fast-paced and highly practical session, Business Ignite founder Damian Mark Smyth, a multiple TEDx speaker and best-selling author on entrepreneurship, will show you how AI works in the wild – no slides, no theory, just live results.
Using his AI tool AdvantageAI on a real URL, he’ll build a high-converting funnel in minutes and unpack the prompt techniques that make the difference between bland output and brand-building brilliance.
He’ll then zoom out to explore the wider AI landscape and what it means for businesses over the next five years.
Delegates will walk away with these take-aways:

Prompt frameworks that drive revenue, not just words
Watch step-by-step how a structured prompt turns raw data into persuasive copy for landing pages, ads and emails—then grab the template for your own campaigns.

A repeatable live-testing workflow
See how to iterate, A/B test and optimise content on the spot, using free or low-cost AI tools to cut production time by up to 80 % and 5 x your results.

Five seismic shifts AI will trigger for every business model by 2030
From hyper-personalised marketing to autonomous decision-making, we’ll map the threats—and the game-changing opportunities—you need on your radar now.

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-05-15 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Glen Stout will be sharing how to get leads and sales from your website with conversion strategies that actually work.
Tickets are limited by desk space, so sign up now to grab your spot:

Create. Record. Thrive.
2025-05-07 11:00 - 13:00
Curious about podcasting? Already creating and want to level up?
Come along to our exclusive Meet & Greet event and find out how The Pod Collective can support your journey — from idea to broadcast.
Whether you’re a content creator, business owner, or influencer, The Pod Collective are your one-stop solution for professional podcasting.
Who Are The Pod Collective?
The Pod Collective is your one-stop shop for all things podcasting. Whether you’re a creator, influencer, or business, they offer the tools, expertise, and professional spaces to help your ideas thrive. From state-of-the-art studios to full-service production and promotion, they’re here to amplify your voice.
What to Expect at the Meet & Greet
✅ Learn how they manage podcasts from concept to distribution
✅ Chat with Hugo & Jack about how they can support your podcast journey
✅ Connect with other creators, businesses, and content pros
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your content, come say hello and see how The Pod Collective can support your story.
🎧 Ready to turn your ideas into a podcast?
Register now and join us at Vulcan Works.

TMM IRL: Beyond the Rainbow – building LGBTQIA+ inclusion into your work and workplaces
2025-05-01 18:00 - 20:00
Chris Dunne, CEO at Outvertising

Meet your team!

The Northampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Northants to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode 🙂
We’re heading back to the lovely Vulcan Works for this one, and we just want to get together, say hello, have a chat, and have a nice time.
Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Let’s have a lovely night in the company of some amazin’ people.
——————–
Speaker: Chris Dunne, CEO at Outvertising
Topic: Beyond the Rainbow: building LGBTQIA+ inclusion into your work and workplaces
Marketing has the power to create positive societal change. At a time when LGBTQIA+ people are coming under increasing attack from politicians and sections of the media, allies and advocates in our industry are looking for meaningful and tangible ways to support the community in their work and how they do business.
This session will:
• Outline some of the challenges LGBTQIA+ people face in 2025
• Explore how LGBTQIA+ inclusion can benefit everyone
• Equip you with a framework to build LGBTQIA+ equity into your marketing communications and organisation
• Share examples of campaigns that are leading the way in positive and authentic LGBTQIA+ representation
• Provide 3 actions everyone can start doing today to drive better workplace inclusion
——————–
The format of the night:
6:00 pm – doors open – drinks, networking, and smiles
6:30 pm – introduction and talks begin
7:00 pm – talks finish, networking, listening, saying hello, and positively lovely people
7:45 pm – end of the night – you leave with new contacts and fresh ideas
——————–
Partnered with Digital Northants, putting local businesses in touch with digital companies who can help solve their problems, to encourage the growth of business in Northamptonshire. Check them out at https://digitalnorthants.com/
Partnered with The ONE Group, whose recruitment team bridges the gap between marketing professionals and a vast network of Northamptonshire businesses, empowering career progression at every stage with unmissable opportunities and job-hunting support. Read more at TheOneGroup.co.uk
Partnered with Vulcan Works, helping entrepreneurs bring world challenging ideas to life. A workspace and community for innovative creatives. Check them out at VulcanWorks.co.uk
——————–
And finally…
This is a donation ticketed event. The ticket price is yours to choose, from £3 to £30 (the average attendees choose to pay £8.79 🙂
We of course understand that these are tough times, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the minimum donation amount, please reach out to el@themarketingmeetup.com and we’ll find a ticket for you (provided capacity hasn’t already been reached!) 🙂
Please let your marketing friends and colleagues know about this group too, we hope to build it into a great resource for the community over the coming months and years. Attendance will be taken at this event. If you sign up but don’t show up, this has a knock on effect on event arrangements. If it happens 3 times, you’re outta here! This is simply a measure to allow appropriate respect to the organisers, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow community members 🙂
——————–
See you there!

Vulcan Works Free Hot Desking Day
2025-04-25 08:30 - 17:00
Join Vulcan Works on the last Friday of every month for Free Hot Desking day, experience a productive, flexible work environment! Whether you’re a freelancer, remote worker, or entrepreneur, this is the perfect opportunity to try out our dynamic coworking space without any cost.
Enjoy high-speed internet, comfortable workstations, an access to our communal areas, all while networking with like-minded professionals. Drop in any time between 8:30am and 5pm and see how our space can boost your productivity.
Come for the free desk, stay for the creative energy!

Cowork Crew Northampton
2025-04-24 09:00 - 16:30
Cowork Crew takes the best bits of coworking and networking and jumbles it together in a once-a-month 1 day event.
This month Steve Folland will be sharing the most powerful, practical, and inspiring lessons he’s learned from creative freelancers.
