Dementia Friendly
Screenings: Challenging the social exclusion experienced by people with
dementia and their families one film at a time
We extended our collaboration with Chapter when we realised that older
people generally were a smaller cinema audience and we felt that few people
with dementia and their families were attending. Even though we knew they were a
group within our local community, they weren’t visiting the arts centre:
"My husband's dementia
has excluded us from many activities with the general public but with dementia
screening we feel safe enough to enjoy going to the cinema again. It has been
liberating for us both as we cope with this isolating illness." – Linda
(Chapter pilot event)
In response, we involved experts in Dementia training and awareness and
other venues across Wales to work to increase access to film and art centres
for people with dementia and their families.
Dementia
Friendly Screenings
Our monthly dementia friendly screenings are now a great opportunity for
people living with dementia to enjoy a new release film in a relaxed friendly and
supportive environment.
The film screenings themselves are shown without adverts or trailers and
have slightly brighter lighting throughout the auditorium. Where possible we
screen the film with soft subtitles and make audio description available. We
also make sure the audience can feel free to move around the cinema or
make a noise as they feel comfortable. Chapter staff are always on hand
to help if the audience need additional assistance. Following the films there
is always a chance to socialise and discuss the film over tea and coffee
(included in the ticket price).
The screenings are open to anyone living with dementia i.e. those
diagnosed with and their family, friends, neighbours or carers. But they are
also open to everyone.
2015
December: It’s a wonderful life
2016
March: Dads Army
April: Hail Cesar
May: Eddie the Eagle
June: Florence foster Jenkins and
July: Calamity jane
August: The BFG
September: Beatles, 8 days a week
October: The General
November: Ghostbusters
December: It’s a wonderful life
2017
January: La la land
February: A street cat named bob
March: Viceroys house
April: Their finest
May: Tinted Lens
Festival
Relaxed Environment
Screenings
In addition, every month we also organise relaxed screenings. These
screenings are recommended for anyone who might benefit from the subtle
alterations made to the auditorium environment. Films are screened with
the lights raised slightly, the volume turned down, and with the
trailers and adverts removed. People can feel free to move around the
cinema or make a noise as they feel comfortable. Chapter staff will be
on hand to help if you need additional assistance.
There are usually 4 films a month and the need for these emerged from our
dementia friendly screenings. For example, May 2017:
- Sun 30 April
11.00: The Lego
Batman (U)
- Tue 9 May
2.30: Piccadilly
Incident (PG)
- Sun 14 May
11.00: Beauty and
the Beast (PG)
- Tue 16 May
2.30: Casablanca (U)
- Tue 23 May
2.30: The Foreman
Went To France (U)
- Tue 30 May
2.30: Unpublished
Story (PG)
