This campaign has now closed
By distracting them from their painful situations, our aim is to enrich the often significantly restricted quality of life of children who are in hospital by providing free of charge screenings of current movie releases in an on-site cinema with access for beds and wheelchairs.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
There are few escapes from the concerns and isolation felt by hospital patients during long stays or for those with long-term disabilities. For some, the distraction of TV and films is available on small bedside screens, but at an additional fee. Furthermore, children often have exaggerated feelings of stress, anxiety and boredom and more restless energy than adult patients – for them, the real or perceived restrictions imposed by the hospital ward on top of their symptoms can be overwhelming.
Solution
The change in environment, the experience of being absorbed in the film and the cinema’s atmosphere are beneficial to patients alienated from everyday activities whilst in the hospital. A 2005 evaluation found MediCinema attendees forget their medical worries for a time, reducing their stress, discomfort and pain. This is especially true for children. Callum, a young Glasgow patient, told us: “I am back in again, this is the 17th time this year. At least I have MediCinema to look forward to.”