Doors Open to Manchester’s New MediCinema

To mark the occasion, young patients from Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital were invited to a special screening of the new Illumination’s joyful, riotous, new feature film Minions & Monsters, ahead of its general release across the UK on July 1st. Patients and families also took part in film-themed activities and met James and Henry, two of the film’s all new Minion stars, before enjoying the first official screening together – the film’s first screening in the UK. 

Among the first patients to experience the MediCinema was Elliot Martin, aged 13, who attended the opening with his parents, Deborah and Simon. Elliot, from Bury, has been in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for more than two weeks after the discovery of a non-cancerous brain tumour.

For patients and families spending days, weeks or even months in hospital, the new MediCinema offers an opportunity to step away from the ward environment, enjoy time together and experience a sense of normality during their hospital stay. The shared experience of film can provide escapism and connection during what is often a challenging time for patients and their loved ones. 

The new MediCinema has been made possible through a partnership between BAFTA Award winning charity MediCinema, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and MFT Charity. 

Space For All 

The 50-seat facility is the first of its kind in Manchester. Designed to provide an authentic cinema experience within the hospital environment, it includes space for wheelchairs, hospital beds and essential medical equipment, enabling patients to attend screenings safely while continuing to receive the care and support they need. 

Patients attending screenings are supported by dedicated MediCinema nurses and specially trained volunteers, helping ensure that as many patients as possible can benefit from the experience. 

The cinema will offer a year-round programme of films, which are free for patients and their families to attend, including the latest blockbusters, family favourites and much-loved classics. Alongside regular screenings, tailored sessions will be developed for specific patient groups such as youth mental health and dementia support groups, as well as for individual needs such as palliative care and end-of-life screenings, helping to ensure the experience is accessible to as many patients and families as possible. 

The MediCinema will host more than 260 screenings each year, providing thousands of opportunities for patients and families to experience the magic of the movies during their time in hospital.