Audience Support

MediCinema really does make a difference. Here are some words of support from people in hospital who have enjoyed MediCinema screenings:

"When my husband visits me on the ward he’s awkward and doesn’t know whether he should hug me or what to say.  MediCinema lets us simply sit and be together, hold hands and enjoy each others company without the anxiety of him not knowing how to behave."  Anna

"Really happy at the thought that I wasn’t going to have to spend an evening on the ward, staring at a blank wall with no neighbours and chewing my lips to avoid being in pain." Niamh

"If I wake up in the night I have the film to think about rather than the pain or my family I miss at home." Shereen

"I thought that it’s really good that I can come down on a bed with the ventilator and everything.  I think it’s really fantastic that you can do that." David

"Marvellous that this is available to patients.  When my visitors come they can join me for a family evening together." Douglas

"The cinema is good therapy for patients to relax and go to another place, to get rid of the stress, pain and anxiety that you feel when you’re on the ward." Amit

"When I was asked if I wanted to go to the cinema I thought it was a joke. I wasn't expecting anything like this. I haven't been to the cinema in years and I wouldn't have expected to do so - here in hospital!" Vickie

"It's a very nice idea. It's so good to be doing something different. Wait 'til I tell my family that I've gone to the cinema here. They won't believe it". Ben

"I really enjoyed that. I don't usually go anywhere special and I feel like I've had a good evening out. I feel better for it."  Sheila

"I'm looking forward to this film because I'm a fan of romantic comedies and it's such a relief to get off the ward. It gives patients something to talk about. On the ward there's not much to see apart from other patients." Mei-Ling

"Excellent - surprised and happy. In my opinion it's a great support to go forward to get well. I thank you all." Samreen

"A bizarre experience when I remembered that I was in hospital waiting for an operation!" Sean

"A fantastic idea - it takes you away from everything, a brilliant therapy." Jessica

"Very entertaining - very good idea. It helps psychologically. Laughter is the best medicine and I'm pleased that people concerned have considered the needs of hospital patients. Excellent!" Edward

"It's nice to get out. It's unusual to have something to come out to!" Rita

"Thanks so much for this nice occasion. I really enjoyed it. I'd like to suggest it when I get back to Japan." Ayumi

"When the lady asked me if I wanted to see a film in the hospital cinema I thought she was joking. I told her I had my children coming in and she said I could bring them as well! The more the merrier!! I thought fantastic, because the ward isn't the best place for children and it meant we could all do something together" Therese

"It was great to get off the ward and have a break from the daily routine. I've been looking forward to it all week." David

"For a moment or two I completely forgot about where I was. A great way to spend a Saturday night in hospital." Louise

"When I went back to the ward, I felt like a naughty school girl sneaking myself back in after having escaped. I think it's wonderful! Thank you." Francis

"I was recently a patient and after an operation and confirmation that I had cancer I was able to go to the cinema.  It did me the world of good and the volunteers were a delight.  Thank you all very much."  Syanne

"I wanted to send an email to thank you and all the staff at the MediCinema at St Thomas’.  My mother, who is 77 years of age was an inpatient on Northumberland Ward for two weeks just prior to Christmas.  The last time she attended a cinema of any kind was a long, long time ago.  Anyway, I just want to say that she went to see Bridget Jones, Edge of Reason, had a thoroughly good time and was impressed by the whole thing.  She said that the staff who collected her from the ward through to everyone she met at the MediCinema were fantastic - she enjoyed the film immensely and I am sure it aided in her recovery.  Once again thank you on behalf of my mother Florence." Brenda

"It’s really great that Aaron is able to escape the wards and see the matinee screenings you have at the MediCinema because it’s no fun being a child in hospital, lovely though the Evelina is. He loves being able to see films with either me, his dad or his brother, especially when there’s a whole group of kids going from the ward together in a little gang.  And when he comes back from the screenings, he’s more alive, more excitable, more himself - more like a little boy who's had a great time - and not someone who's in hospital. And that’s great for me and his dad, because we know that even when we can’t be there with him, that he’ll be doing something that makes him really happy, it’s wonderful the way it makes such a difference. Because sometimes he can be quite shy, but the MediCinema screenings help to bring him out of himself. And because it’s all so well organised, we can relax knowing he’s in safe hands." Aaron’s mum