About MediCinema
Cinema-based healthcare programmes inside hospitals
We are a unique charity operating at the heart of NHS hospitals. Our therapeutic cinema experiences improve the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of patients and their loved ones.
The MediCinema Experience
Being unwell and in hospital can be challenging, frightening and often isolating for people who are already feeling vulnerable. Leaving the wards to experience a film screening in one of our cinemas makes a positive and lasting impact, giving patients – and families - the strength to cope.
With room for their hospital beds, wheelchairs, and medical equipment, we provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for our patients.
Our services help to reduce pain, anxiety, stress, and feelings of isolation, to giving those in hospital a sense of normality and being connected to others.
Thanks to the support of major film studios and distributors we screen the latest releases for free, from blockbusters to smaller releases, comedy, action and romance.
Core Inpatient Screening Programme
A minimum of four screenings takes place at each MediCinema every week, with screenings for adults and paediatrics depending on the population of the hospital.
Our patient journey starts at the wards, moving through the hospital corridors in their beds or wheelchairs to enter our bright and welcoming cinema spaces, while chatting to and being looked after by the Cinema Manager, volunteers, and nurses. Being immersed in the power of a big-screen experience transports people away from their everyday reality. Our research shows that patients feel less anxious, less isolated – and less pain.
“You turned a traumatic event into something Nell will remember as the time she has a massive surprise treat at the hospital cinema, instead of the time she had to go back for another operation.”
Nell’s mum Joanne
Tailored Screening Programme
Our Tailored Screenings are built for specific in and out-patient clinical groups. They provide a unique opportunity to bring people together, with the films chosen helping to open up conversations which may otherwise have been difficult to have. We organise screenings for support groups such as teens and young adults with cancer, young peoples’ mental health, and sickle cell amongst many others.
Peter is part of the Advanced Prostate Cancer Club at Guy’s Hospital.
“It is a great opportunity for us to talk, share our experiences and reassure each other. Some of the men in the group don’t have partners and I imagine they can be very lonely, so it can be a real solid support. We meet for the film and stay afterwards to talk, and it is such an uplifting experience. I can’t help but think about how valuable the concept is.”
Personal Screening Programme
We work closely with clinical teams to identify and arrange personal screenings for patients who are unable to attend our regular screenings. Whether they are immunocompromised, have specific or complex needs or as part of their palliative care journey, we can provide the opportunity for the patient and their family to spend precious time together and create invaluable positive memories with loved ones.
“I arrived at hospital depressed and very down, I was amazed when palliative care told me such a facility existed. It was like being thrown a lifeline. I was ‘me’ again. You've no idea how precious that is when you might only have months to live.”
Yasmin
Beyond the Big Screen
The impact of the shared cinema experience for patients can be profound. Our ‘Beyond the Big Screen’ programme is designed to extend our impact for patients and their families beyond our regular film screening programmes and currently reaches over 65 hospitals across the UK.
Through a wide range of activities from arts & crafts, character meet and greets, bedside palliative screenings, actor Q&As, MediCinema sticker books and journals, all designed to build resilience and positive memories, these enhancements provide patients with an escape from the challenges of being on the wards.
Delivered in collaboration with Clinical and Play teams and external partners, ‘Beyond the Big Screen’ is designed to enrich the lives of patients both inside and outside of our MediCinemas, long after the credits roll.
Moments that Matter with Disney
The power of storytelling and special shared moments can help build emotional resilience for children who are experiencing difficult times such as serious illness and social isolation.
We are proud to have a long-term strategic hospital partnership with Disney, where together we create ‘Moments that Matter’ for children as part of our ‘Beyond the Big Screen’ programme.
From Disney-themed film character visits, specially designed Adventure Packs, Disney+ on wards, music and movement sessions, ‘fun in the foyer’ events, and access to the latest Disney releases, ‘Moments that Matter’ brings the magic of Disney to young patients when they need it most.
Our Hospital Partners
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MediCinema at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary
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MediCinema at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children/Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
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MediCinema at Newport’s Serennu Children’s Centre
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MediCinema at London’s Guy’s Hospital
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MediCinema at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
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MediCinema at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital (Pop-Up)
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MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
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COMING SOON… MediCinema at Birmingham Children’s Hospital
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New MediCinema Sites
Our goal is to make our cinema-based programmes available to more NHS patients by creating new MediCinemas in Trusts across the UK.
We use space within a hospital Trust to create our on-site state of the art cinemas. Current projects range from converting existing lecture theatres to creating whole new shells in a hospital atrium. In partnership with hospital charities, MediCinema raise and fund the development of the cinema. Sites are maintained and managed on an ongoing basis by the expert MediCinema team including nurses and volunteers
Plan view of the MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital built in 2024
Meet the MediCinema Team
My favourite film is...
Paddington 2
Sam Bethune
Marketing and Communications Executive
My favourite film is...
Avatar
Mary Blake
Operations Manager
My favourite film is...
Jerry Maguire
Lynda Bridger
Head of Finance and Company Secretary
My favourite film is...
Dirty Dancing
Lysette Cohen
Director of Communications
My favourite film is...
Il Postino
Donatella Del Monaco
Executive Assistant
My favourite film is...
Babe
Paul Giggal
Chief Operating Officer
My favourite film is...
Magnolia
Simon Hickson
Senior Cinema Manager, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
My favourite film is...
The Sure Thing
Nicola Hill
Senior Cinema Manager, Guy’s Hospital
My favourite film is...
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Jon Jones
Technical Assistant, Serennu Children’s Centre
My favourite film is...
Groundhog Day
Beth Keane
Head of Service Design and Impact
My favourite film is...
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Shirley Laverick-Stovin
Deputy Cinema Manager, Royal Victoria Infirmary
My favourite film is...
The Third Man
Colin Lawrence
Chief Executive Officer
My favourite film is...
Brazil
Jamie Lynch
Director of Development
My favourite film is...
She
John Martin
Cinema Manager, St Thomas’ Hospital
My favourite film is...
Stand By Me
Mike Newcombe
National Cinema Manager
My favourite film is...
Dead Poets Society
Marc Shaw
Cinema Manager, Royal Victoria Infirmary
My favourite film is...
Titanic
Kate Thomson
Cinema Manager, Royal Hospital for Children/Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
My favourite film is...
Ringu (1988)
Josie Thornton
Deputy Cinema Manager, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
My favourite film is...
Signs
Eve Wills-Wilson
Individual Giving Manager
Our Nurses
The personal and professional care provided by these nurses enable those with varied and complex needs to benefit from the MediCinema. They also give patients and their family members the peace of mind and reassurance that they will remain looked after during the film screenings.
The Volunteers
