Alder Hey launches its new MediCinema with a special Disney premiere

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital now has its own MediCinema for patients and their families.

The MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust officially opened its doors for patients and families today, hosting an exclusive screening of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2, ahead of the film’s premiere in London’s Leicester Square, later in the day.

Children and young people were invited from the wards to this special screening of the film—a new adventure that reunites Moana and Maui—at the new in-hospital cinema located in the heart of the hospital. 

A partnership between the charity MediCinema, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, this state-of-the-art cinema is the only one at a standalone paediatric hospital in the UK and the first cinema in a hospital in the North West of England. 

The specially designed cinema, which can accommodate 34 people, allows the children to attend the screening in their beds or wheelchairs, accompanied by their families and a nursing team. This allows them to enjoy the latest films like many cinemagoers while still receiving any care they need.

Disney has partnered with MediCinema throughout the charity’s 25-year history and has provided significant funding towards the creation of the new cinema, helping the charity bring moments of joy to patients, their families, and the staff who care for them. To celebrate the opening of the new MediCinema, not only did the children receive a special recorded message from the cast ahead of the film starting, but Moana brought some movie magic to the screening, greeting the children and young people as they arrived. 

After the excitement of meeting Moana and doing some special arts and crafts in the newly designed colourful space, patients and their families were welcomed into the MediCinema by Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing Officer at Alder Hey.

When the film was finished, the patients were given special gift bags and taken back to the wards by the nurses and volunteers.

“It was the first time in three weeks that I’ve seen her completely relaxed,” said Kate, the mum of six-year-old Elise.

“It was boss,” said nine-year-old Nancy who came in her hospital bed.

Film screenings in the MediCinema at Alder Hey are free to patients and their families at no cost to the NHS. The MediCinema will show the latest films, with approximately four weekly screenings open to any patient who has been cleared by clinical staff to attend. The MediCinema will also be able to run personal screenings for patients in exceptionally sensitive circumstances.   

A visit to a MediCinema can transform often challenging times for families in hospital.  According to the charity’s ongoing research, 88% of attendees believe that the experience supports mental health and helps people cope. 94% say it reduces the isolation felt in the hospital, and 93% say it reduces stress and anxiety.  

Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing Officer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Our new MediCinema is amazing. It will bring joy through the power of the movies to our children, young people and their families, some of whom can be at Alder Hey for long periods.  Being able to escape their room and have a day out to the cinema with friends and family, whilst still receiving vital clinical care, will mean so much to our children and young people.  It will give everyone the chance to enjoy the magic of the latest movies and help reduce the difficulties and challenges that come from being in hospital.

“We’re thrilled to welcome them to this exclusive screening of Moana 2, and proud to provide a place where cinema can bring comfort, connection, and strength to those who need it most.”

Colin Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, MediCinema said:

“It was magical today seeing the patients and their families getting such joy from being in the MediCinema watching the film and of course from meeting Moana. We are so excited to be opening our latest MediCinema at this exceptional hospital, for the benefit of patients and communities of Liverpool and beyond.  We believe that services to boost wellbeing can be transformational to how patients and their families experience care, and we look forward to working in close partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Charity and the Trust to provide valued and beneficial experiences for years to come.” 

Fiona Ashcroft Chief Executive Officer, Alder Hey Children’s Charity said:

“We are absolutely delighted to see the MediCinema open its doors at Alder Hey, bringing an unforgettable cinematic experience right here into the heart of our hospital. This cinema will offer a sanctuary of joy and a much-needed escape for our children, young people, and their families during challenging times. It aligns perfectly with our mission to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of our patients, recognising that healing extends beyond medical treatment.

“Thanks to our incredible partners at MediCinema and the generosity of our donors, the cinema will create cherished memories and make a meaningful difference for our children and families every week. We are thrilled to embark on this journey, one that will bring moments of magic and laughter to our Alder Hey community for years to come.”

Deborah Armstrong, Disney UK & Ireland Country Manager, said:

“Films truly have the power to connect us all, and the work that MediCinema does to bring movie magic into hospitals is transformational. We are so proud of our 25-year partnership with MediCinema, working together towards our shared goal of bringing comfort and joy to patients and their families when they need it most. Today’s screening of “Moana 2” is the perfect way to open the latest MediCinema at Alder Hey, and we hope the new space can provide those vital moments of escapism for many years to come.”

The construction of the MediCinema has been generously funded by: The Julia Rausing Trust, Kentown Wizard Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, Skiddle Ltd, Members of the Institute of Travel and Tourism and smaller funders.  The ongoing running costs of the MediCinema are funded by donations to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

The MediCinema was designed, and project managed by Unick Consulting Ltd, who have for the past 40+ years worked in the construction and design of multiplex cinemas across the world and have been responsible for the design and build of hundreds of new cinemas in the UK.

Moana 2 releases in cinemas across the UK on 29^th November 2024.

Visit the Alder website HERE.

Alder Hey receives £1.1m in funding for health and care research HERE.