What is a dementia-friendly cinema screening?
A dementia-friendly cinema screening is designed to make the cinema experience more accessible and enjoyable for people living with dementia. These screenings typically include several adjustments from your average cinema-going experience.
The aim is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where people with dementia, along with their families and carers, can enjoy a day out at the movies.
Our trip to The Light Cinema in Banbury
We were kindly welcomed by the cinema’s staff, who do a great job keeping the environment clean and comfortable. We’d come to watch the 1939 classic from the Golden Age of Cinema, The Wizard of Oz.
It was screened in a room that was neither too big so that it may cause confusion, nor too cramped that it would be uncomfortable. The lights, which can sometimes blind you when switched on at the end of a film, were kept dimmed the whole time. Best of all, there were no trailers or adverts!
It was lovely to see some of the people we support come along and enjoy the film (and the delicious free pizza we were treated to by staff!).
We watched the Wizard of Oz which was thoroughly enjoyed by all (including us 😊) and kept the audience entranced throughout, with maybe the exception of when the freshly cooked pizzas arrived!
Sarah-Jane, Dementia Adviser
The Light Cinema in Banbury hosts dementia-friendly cinema screenings every month, often choosing films from the mid-20th century to aid with reminiscence and memory recall.
Singin’ in the Rain will be the next dementia-friendly screening, showing on Wednesday 13th November. You can get your tickets for just £5 (the admissions for carers is free) on The Light Cinema’s website.
