New dementia-friendly screenings at Picturehouse

Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse is introducing Dementia Friendly screenings, under a new initiative being introduced by the nationwide chain.

Dementia Friendly screenings seek to provide a fun and inclusive experience to enable people living with dementia, their families and carers to attend the cinema in a safe and welcoming environment.

Open to the general public too, the screenings are enhanced to suit the needs of people living with dementia: the lights are left on low, there are no adverts or trailers and the audience is allowed to move around – or sing along to any musical numbers – should they wish to.

Meet Me In St Louis, the 1944 film starring Judy Garland, has been selected for the first dementia-friendly screening in Stratford. It is today at 12midday. the first film been selected as the first to be shown dementia-friendly.

Garland sings several classic songs during the film, including the topical tear-jerker, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Free tea, coffee and biscuits are served for half an hour before the film to give people the chance to meet and socialise with others, and to familiarise themselves with the cinema space.

Tickets are at the reduced price of £4 per person, with a free place for accompanying carers.

In addition to the adaptations that have been made to the environment, each cinema will begin to build up a collection of film memorabilia, including old film magazines, to support informal Reminiscence activities around the screenings.

Picturehouse staff are also attending Dementia Friends sessions so that they have a basic understanding of what it can be like living with dementia and can better understand and respond to the needs of the people attending.

The next film planned is An American In Paris on Wednesday, 11th January, at 12midday.