Supporting dementia and autism friendly cinema screenings
5th June 2023
The Electric Palace Harwich has been successful in obtaining grants from Essex Community Foundation and Harwich Town Council to ensure that their popular Dementia and Autism friendly screenings can continue.
Since reopening just over a year ago, following a major refurbishment made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and English Heritage, the Electric Palace has been offering a programme of Dementia and Autism friendly screenings alongside its general screenings.
The programme, delivered by an Education Officer, has been very well received and has allowed the Electric Palace to serve its communities in ways in which it has never been able to do so before, reaching more people and making the venue more inclusive and accessible.
A recent grant awarded by Essex Community Foundation (ECF) provides funding for two days a week for the next year for the Education Officer to continue this work.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Initiatives like this are really important for helping to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the arts and can access them. We are pleased that two of our fundholders, Harwich Haven Authority Community Fund and Galloper Wind Farm Community Fund, have funded the role of an education and community engagement officer, to continue and expand work like this.”In addition, a grant from Harwich Town Council has made it possible to offer free tickets to those who would benefit from these screenings.
The Electric Palace will continue to collaborate with partners including Age UK, Harwich Connexions, Autism Anglia, local care homes and Harwich Home Start, to make sure that those that would benefit most from specialist screenings are able to attend.
Dementia Friendly Memory Matinees
These screenings have been designed to be inclusive to those living with dementia, as well as family members and carers. Memory Matinees screenings are rooted in the idea that a trip to the cinema is a powerful way for people to reconnect with memories. During the film, the house lights are raised slightly and the sound level is slightly lower than normal. Trained staff and volunteers are on hand throughout the screenings to assist, but please note that pastoral care is not provided, a friend, family member or carer must also attend.
Autism Friendly Relaxed Screenings
These relaxed screenings provide a chance for adults & children to watch a film at the cinema in a relaxed & inclusive environment. Adjustments are made to reduce over-stimulation & create a friendly atmosphere for people with additional needs. The number of tickets for online sales are reduced so that audience figures are slightly lower than a general screening. There is free entry for carers with CEA cards.
Doors open 30 minutes before the screening start time in order to get settled and sensory objects are available on entry (sanitised before & after). There are no trailers or adverts and the film will be introduced.
During the screening lights will remain on low and the volume will be adjusted to a lower level. Visitors can bring own snacks to eat and moving around & noise making are accepted.
For more information, please contact Hayley: educationofficer@electricpalace.com or Michael: operationsmanager@electricpalace.com 07734 300 045