Signal Cinema returns for a special one-off screening event next week with a special Dementia-friendly film and interval sing-a-long on Wednesday 7th February from 1.30pm. Donations of £2 are welcomed and carers are free.
Attendees are welcomed from 1.30pm at Cooke’s Studios to enjoy a free selection of tea, cake and biscuits and to meet other cinema-goers before the film starts at 2pm. During the interval the audience is encouraged to join in the sing-a-long to songs from this Gene Kelly classic screening!
Tickets can be reserved by calling Kezz at Signal Film and Media on 01229 838592 – feel free to leave a message over the weekend too.
Groups are very welcome & carers need not provide evidence of their support role. Wheelchair users are advised to pre-arrange with the venue in advance. To make this a Dementia-Friendly event, Signal Cinema is arranging for a number of supporting elements to be as inclusive as possible. The event will take place on the ground floor and is:
- Fully wheelchair-accessible
- Reflective surfaces will be covered and additional large print signage will be visible
- There will be a visible number of staff and volunteers available on the day to support attendees
- Limited car parking spaces available closer to the building for those who need to travel shorter distances or need to bring bus or coach transport.
- Comfort break interval – during which, an opportunity for a sing-a-long!
- Signal have also installed a T-loop system for those hard of hearing to enjoy the film too.
Signal Cinema will be running this event under their building’s umbrella license so will not be advertising the film by title (known in French as ‘Chantons sous la pluie’), but assure audiences that this 1952 classic starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds will be a great feel-good choice.
Hint, Hint:
After receiving training from Dementia Friends (An Alzheimer’s Society Initiative aiming to change people’s perceptions of dementia.) provided by Film Hub North, Project Manager Kezz Turner began to realise the impact and need to support an increasing number of people living with Dementia in Cumbria:
“Even from the way we speak about Dementia, there are so many negative associations and assumptions of people’s abilities. After an eye-opening training session, we were really keen to provide a fun activity we all take for granted – such as going to the cinema – but make it much more inclusive & emotionally resonant.”
By 2015, it is estimated that there will be 3,000 people living in the borough of Barrow with dementia. Nationally, there are 850,000 people currently living with diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to hit one million by 2025. Businesses becoming dementia friendly is the prime minister’s challenge for 2020, with all industry sectors encouraged to develop dementia friendly charters and agendas.
