MediCinema in Glasgow Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Co-funded in partnership with the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, the MediCinema was originally situated at Yorkhill from 2007. In 2015 the cinema was relocated when the hospital moved to Govan and has continued to provide our unique service to thousands of patients and their families every year, transforming their experience of being in hospital.  

Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of hosting some star talent including Ewan McGregor as well as everyone’s favourite Peruvian bear Paddington and his friend Mr Brown played by Hugh Bonneville who thrilled young patients with their visit last year.

One person who has been with the MediCinema in Glasgow from the very beginning in 2007 is our dedicated volunteer, Billy, now 86 years old and still an active volunteer with us. 

Billy’s Story  

Billy was the first volunteer to join the MediCinema team in Glasgow when its doors opened in 2007 at Yorkhill and remembers the first ever screening to take place for its young patients.  

After a very personal loss, Billy regained his sense of purpose through volunteering at screenings and, 18 years later he is still determined to continue to dedicate his time to the patients MediCinema supports. Here he shares some of his story.  

“The reason I started volunteering was when my daughter died, I was becoming a bit of a couch potato – I lost my sense of purpose. It destroyed me.  

My wife saw this and suggested I visit the kids’ hospital in a volunteer capacity; so, we used to visit the kids in the hospital to cheer them up, so the parents could have a night off.  

Then I heard about the cinema coming, and I signed up pronto for that – before they’d even opened the doors. I just wanted to help the weans (children) in any way I could.  

I get on quite well with weans. Quite a few of them will shout ‘Billy!’ when I go to the ward. I give all the kids a high five. It’s a way of connecting with them and making them feel special – almost every kid loves to do a high five! 

There’s a number of patients I remember from over the years. One child in particular who had a tough life, but loved coming to the MediCinema, so it was just a delight to see the change in his demeanour when he came to a screening. And another who I’ve known for a long time – I first met him when he was a baby and now he’s about 10! 

The first red carpet we had at the MediCinema – Frozen – was a special one. It was really great to see the kids’ reaction to the two princesses, being here in real life – MediCinema the way it was presented it was fantastic. It was great seeing all the kids so delighted.

I’m 86 now and I can’t see me stopping – I love helping the kids – and MediCinema makes a fantastic impression on them. Volunteering in the cinema, for me, is a way to see the immediate impact on the kids. If you see a wean smile and they’re laughing – you know MediCinema is doing good and you’re helping to do good.