Cinema adapts screenings for people with dementia

A cinema has added dementia-friendly screenings to make it more accessible for people living with the condition.

The Odyssey Cinema in St Albans said changes included low-level lighting in the auditorium, films beginning without adverts or trailers and audience members being free to move around or take breaks during films.

Staff said the idea was shaped by personal experiences of dementia and a wider commitment to community outreach.

The cinema has been working alongside care providers such as Home Instead, which said attending familiar activities offered "a continuity in life that is warming and healthy".

Home Instead director Jeremy Lane said the partnership allowed clients to stay connected to everyday experiences.

He said: "My own mother living with dementia used to take me there as a child, I particularly remember seeing Moonraker in 1979."

"It will give quite a few people a happy memorable day and it doesn't get better than that."

Bethany Nicholson from the cinema said: "We're always looking for ways to strengthen our connection with St Albans and the wider Hertfordshire community, and this felt like a meaningful step forward.

"My nan has developed vascular dementia in recent years, and this change has meant my family have spent each year adapting to her needs.

"It's made us reflect on how important it is to hold onto a sense of normality and dignity for her."

Sarah Dolling, a 43‑year‑old teacher from Hemel Hempstead, who knows she will develop a rare inherited form of young‑onset dementia, praised the idea.

"Providing opportunities for those living with dementia to socialise and do things they enjoy without the pressure of worrying about other people is vital," she said.

"Staying active and connected to the real world supports brain function and overall wellbeing for both the patients and their carers."

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