MediCinema’s Long-Serving Volunteers Reach an Incredible 370 Years Combined
As we mark Volunteers’ Week, we are proud to celebrate an extraordinary milestone – 370 years of combined service from MediCinema volunteers being recognised through our long-service awards.
This total reflects the incredible commitment of volunteers who have reached 5, 10, 15 and 20+ years of service, with each milestone representing years of compassion, dedication and care. Many of these long-serving volunteers have become a constant and reassuring presence within their MediCinema sites, building relationships with patients, families and NHS staff, and helping to create moments of joy when they are needed most.
This was a great opportunity to get off the ward and we had a lovely time watching a film together as a family. We were very well looked after. The film made us giggle and forget that we were in hospital as it’s been a very traumatic time! The volunteers were absolutely wonderful.
Relative of patient – Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary
The Power of Volunteering at MediCinema
Volunteers are crucial to the smooth running of MediCinema’s in-hospital cinema experience. Without them our service simply couldn’t exist. Across our UK sites, around 183 volunteers play a vital role in delivering the MediCinema experience. Already in 2026 our volunteers have generously donated approximately 6,040 hours of their time across 1,510 shifts ensuring that patients and their families can access the magic of cinema together.
I’m currently battling with endometriosis and I’ve been admitted with acute pain and I’ve been in the hospital for four days. It’s been really isolating and quite sad. When the team asked me if I wanted to see a film it made my day. I was finally able to escape the ward and escape reality for a bit. The team made getting there super accessible and Pascal and Molly were so lovely and very supportive when they came to pick me up. Everyone was really friendly and made sure I was comfortable and hydrated the whole time. I wanted to say a very big thank you to all the volunteers. It may seem small but moments like these, even if it’s just a film, makes hospital feel less daunting.
Patient – St Thomas’ Hospital, London
Going For Gold
Throughout the week volunteers across MediCinema are coming together in a special celebration where they will receive their long service certificates plus a bonus treat of a free cinema ticket for every volunteer generously supplied by our corporate partner, Cineworld.
At our MediCinema at Guy’s Hospital in London 18 individuals were celebrated with the highest number of silver (10 years) and gold (15 years) long-service award recipients.
![get_sub_field('image')['alt']](https://www.medicinema.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Guys-volunteers-2026-rotated-e1780563277818-1418x1024.jpeg)
From left to right: Simon Balcon, Xoi Ly, Joan Clay, Tatjana Pisarski, Senior Cinema Manager Nicola Hill, Jay Juggapah, Gabrielle O’Donoghue
A heartfelt thank you to each and every MediCinema volunteer. Whether you’ve been with us for 1 month or 20 years you help us to bring comfort, connection and the magic of cinema to those who need it most.
If you are interested in finding out about volunteering at any of our MediCinema sites, get in touch.
