There are plenty of things we’ve all missed during the pandemic, and while some of us were complaining about completely exhausting the Netflix catalog, not everyone has been so lucky.
Many had to spend long periods of time and sadly many still have to in bare and sterile hospital rooms with not a lot to keep them entertained.
That can way heavy on people, especially on young children who are used to playing with their friends pretty much every day.
There has been someone looking out for these patients – the charity MediCinema.
About MediCinema
MediCinema is a UK registered charity that builds and runs state-of-the-art cinemas in NHS hospitals, accommodating hospital beds, wheelchairs and equipment. It works to progress patient resilience and recovery and improve wellbeing through the power of film and the shared cinema experience. During their stays in hospital, patients, families and carers can see the latest releases as well as silver-screen classics for free and get a much-needed break from the wards.
Since MediCinema was founded in 1999 it has given nearly 200,000 cinema experiences to patients, their families, carers and those closest to them.
MediCinema operates cinemas in the following: Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals in London, Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow and Serennu Children’s Centre in Newport, South Wales.
Despite having to close some of their branches at the start of the pandemic they managed to keep a few open.
As this week in May is hailed Mental Health Awareness Week, MediCinema conducted a study into the effects of their in-hospital cinema on patients, who were living with much stricter visitor restrictions due to COVID.
The overwhelmingly positive results revealed that attending these special hospital screenings significantly improved patients’ mental health.
9 out of 10 people reported that going to an in-hospital cinema reduced stress and anxiety levels
The effect of the shared experience of film improves feeling of wellbeing, reduces isolation, and gives people a sense of normality. Here are some of the astounding stats:
- 93% said a visit to the MediCinema reduced isolation
- 92% said a visit to the MediCinema reduced anxiety and stress
- 92% said a visit to the MediCinema improves wellbeing
- 96% gives people in hospital a sense of normality
- 82% said a visit to the MediCinema helped them connect with others
MediCinema is making people feel better with film in some of the most difficult times for everyone, and you know, we all deserve to experience movie magic the right kind of way.
If you like to support their cause, visit their website below: