MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital turns 1
November 24th marked the 1-year anniversary of MediCinema’s official opening at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool. In that time over 4000 children, young people and their families have enjoyed the therapeutic benefits of the shared cinema experience transforming their time in hospital.
A year of movie magic
Over the past 12 months, MediCinema at Alder Hey has become a hub of activity providing the Alder Hey community with a space to escape the challenges of life on the ward. From the UK premieres of Disney’s Moana 2, Warner Bros. Pictures A Minecraft Movie and Universal Picture’s Wicked: For Good, to regular ‘Fun in the Foyer’ arts and crafts and themed screenings, the MediCinema has quickly become a highlight for patients, thanks to the dedication of Cinema Manager, Laura Smith and her team of volunteers and nurses.
In its first year of operation, we have seen:
4118 children, young people and their families attending 260 screenings.
156 patients attending a screening in their hospital beds.
44 personal screenings for vulnerable patients or those receiving end of life care providing families the chance to build lasting memories and moments of connection.
11 tailored screenings designed for specific in and out-patient clinical and support groups providing an opportunity to bring individuals together with a similar diagnosis or experience. These screenings have included mental health support groups for children and young people, bereavement support group for families affected by the death of a child and an Orthoptics group.
Bringing light during a dark time
Hamza has a rare, life-long heart condition which means that he and his family spend a lot of time in hospital. During a month-long stay at Alder Hey, Hamza and his mum, Farhana, were invited to a screening of the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie at the MediCinema. The experience transformed a difficult situation, giving Hamza and his family some light at a dark time.
![get_sub_field('image')['alt']](https://www.medicinema.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Hamza-featured-image-1440x810.png)
Hospital can be a traumatic place. But that one MediCinema screening gave our hospital stay a positive twist. It gave Hamza a boost – a “I can do this!” spark he needed to get going – and it helped us all hold onto something good in the middle of everything else going on.
Hamza’s mum, Farhana
Read more about Hamza’s story.
Launched in November 2024, the MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s hospital is run in partnership between MediCinema, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Alder Hey Children’s NHS
Foundation Trust. Screening the latest release at no cost to patients or the NHS each MediCinema has room for hospital beds, wheelchairs, and medical equipment, with every screening supported by two MediCinema nurses.
