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Movie magic lights up lives of sick children

Being in hospital doesn’t mean missing out on seeing the latest big screen blockbusters, thanks to a charity that is dedicated to bringing the power of cinema to patients.

With a cinema that can accommodate patients in wheelchairs, beds, on drips and on monitors and manned by trained volunteers and nurses, MediCinema has become a key part of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow.

And now the charity is bringing benefits to even more patients, following the opening of the brand new 256-bed Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Scotland’s largest paediatric centre which is treating around 160,000 babies, children and teenagers every year.

With dedicated space on the third floor of the new children's hospital – and through the generosity of donors and supporters - even more patients and families are able to enjoy magical movie experiences at the brand new Yorkhill MediCinema.

Among the supporters have been Aberdeen Asset Management which has announced a donation from its Charitable Foundation to cover the costs of screening two cinema shows a week for a full month.

Kat Mason, chief executive of MediCinema said: “Aberdeen Asset Management has made a transformational difference for us by supporting our ongoing screenings at the new Yorkhill MediCinema.

“Their donation will fund two screenings per a week for a whole month, bringing the magic and escapism of film to patients and families in hospital, at a time when they need it the most.”

At least 3,000 young people and their families will benefit by attending free film screenings at the new Yorkhill MediCinema this year, and the service has been extended to welcome 4,000 adults a year, too.

MediCinema at Yorkhill has always been a vital service at the hospital with patients, families and staff all benefitting from the difference it can make to health, wellbeing and recovery. During the planning consultations with patients and families for the new Southern General development, MediCinema was one of the most requested non-clinical resources for the new hospital.

Patients, their families and health professionals say the cinema experience provides stimulation, social engagement and relaxation and the chance for patients to enjoy quality time with loved ones while remaining safe in hospital.

A young patient found it a welcome break from the ward for a few hours, and added: “When I come in to the MediCinema I forget all about what is going on in the ward and about my illness, it’s a pleasure to come and enjoy the film and to have a bit of fun. I have been coming to the MediCinema for eight and a half months now and I look forward to it.”

A health professional in the Department for Child & Family Psychiatry described MediCinema as a great provision for the children they help to get better and stated: “We are a national service and often our children have no visitors during the week as families can’t stay on the ward. MediCinema gives them something really enjoyable to look forward to and provides some distraction and respite from homesickness and their illness. The cinema really is for everyone as it’s free and many families have to budget carefully, especially with a child in hospital.”

A support worker of a Yorkhill patient praised staff and volunteers for going the extra mile and offering a warm and friendly welcome and offering an experience patients might not otherwise be able to enjoy: "Dylan has Angelman syndrome, which is a genetic neurological condition which causes both physical and learning disability.

“He uses a wheelchair and has no verbal communication but is very much able to make himself known! It would be challenging to take Dylan to a regular cinema as he can be quite noisy as he tries to express himself, and he finds it challenging to sit still for long.

“MediCinema provides a very laid back environment allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the film, without worrying about disturbing others. It is a fantastic facility with great films which are current and really make you feel like we are having a regular cinema experience right there in the hospital."

Karin Hyland of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said: “Yorkhill went through a big move this year and we are pleased to be able to support MediCinema which is providing an extended service at the new Southern General development, and delivering the benefits of the cinema experience to an even greater number of patients and families.”

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home

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