Tang Hall SMART CIC has expanded their business this year

Tang Hall SMART CIC, a social enterprise that was established 2014 in the grounds of the former Burnholme Community College, and that has been operating from The Centre @ Burnholme since its opening, has expanded their business this year so that they are also delivering out of The Jam Factory in The Groves. The set of rehearsal rooms and recording studios had been on the brink of closure with the departure last summer of its previous tenant, Access to Music, however, the expansion of Tang Hall SMART has meant that the Jam Factory’s evening business of room bookings has been able to continue, whilst during the day, the rooms still ring out with the sounds of music making.

Tang Hall SMART work with a variety of cohorts of people who are disadvantaged by birth or circumstance, using music and the arts as the vehicle for progress and recovery. With 27 staff, and over 150 participants each week, the social enterprise is delivering some great social impacts and boasts several success stories of people who were formerly homeless and are now in paid employment.

Whilst focusing mainly on education and training, the company also runs events such as a monthly tea dance for the elderly, a regular ‘music in the café’ evening (in partnership with York Explore), and more recently, a monthly Band Night at Theatre 41.

The CEO Sue Williamson, a former teacher and SENCO, and a musician in her own right, (She performs as The Punk Crone), presides over a talented staff, all of whom share her passion for enabling people with learning disabilities, or experiences of poor mental health, addiction or homelessness, to make progress towards employability.