Patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ can escape the wards for time at the movies, thanks to the MediCinema – an incredible service run by the national charity of the same name, which is supported by donations.
Patients and staff enjoy a screening at the MediCinema
The cinemas screen the very latest releases for free and allow access to patients with wide-ranging needs, offering spaces for wheelchairs and beds as well as standard seats.
Some welcome socialising
Chris Gorringe developed a life-threatening infection in his blood and chest following a bad scratch to his arm. He had to have several operations and has been an inpatient at Guy’s Hospital twice in 2016, both times staying for several weeks.
He has used the ICAP MediCinema at Guy’s at least four times during his stays and says he enjoys the social aspect of the service.
‘It gives you something to look forward to and talk to other patients about,’ says Chris. ‘We come down together and have a little night out, and then there’s all the banter afterwards.
‘It makes you feel human again – that’s the best thing. You dress up and feel normal again.’
Dedicated volunteers
The cinema’s manager promotes the films around the hospital with the help of a team of volunteers, who bring patients from their wards and make sure they are comfortable. The volunteers are on hand throughout the film, as well as two nursing staff in case any medical help is needed.
‘I had to come down in a wheelchair originally and everyone is happy to help. It’s great that there are volunteers to bring you down, it's open to all’ says Chris.
Another long-stay patient to use the ICAP MediCinema is Abdul Akemel. He has spent over 12 weeks at Guy’s following a kidney transplant and he and his wife have used the service several times.
'I felt really happy thinking about it; it's been on my mind all week that I don't want to be discharged because I want to go to the cinema so much,’ says Abdul. ‘I forgot my pain and why I'm here – it felt like I'd been out for the night. I was smiling for the whole evening afterwards.’
A service for all patients
The MediCinema at St Thomas’ is for the young patients at Evelina London Children’s Hospital as well, showing kids’ movies regularly as well as films for adults.
Emily, aged 14, can take her blood-thinning machine into a screening with her, which she needs as part of her treatment for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She has been a patient at Evelina London all her life, the most recent stay being for three weeks after she suffered a huge internal bleed when her pacemaker was replaced.
When Emily’s line on the blood-thinning machine was playing up, one of the nurses was able to help her.
‘Everyone at the MediCinema is very kind, especially when my line is being annoying,’ says Emily. ‘I like being able to come along because it’s a break from the wards.’
A big difference
Research carried out by MediCinema has shown that the service makes a real difference to patients’ experiences of being in hospital, helping to improve wellbeing and providing a valuable shared social experience.
The service is also invaluable for outpatients, with many people coming in regularly for test results, chemotherapy or dialysis. Having the chance to escape at the cinema for a couple of hours can make all the difference.
Vicky Sabarias works as a patient liaison officer at Evelina London and brings her nieces, nine-year-old Annabelle and seven-year-old Abigail, who are both outpatients.
‘We always look forward to our weekly visits,’ says Vicky. ‘What a fabulous way to improve a patient’s stay and lift their spirits. It makes a big difference.’
The MediCinema wouldn’t be able to run without donations from our wonderful supporters.
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through ourdonation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
Or by bank transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team
Fundraising Team
Virginia Woolf Building
22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor
London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) and donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Contact us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk. Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
If you would like to discuss this more over the phone and find out how we can help, please email our Supporter Care Team at info@supportgstt.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. Registered Charity No. 1160316.
Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 9341980.
Evelina London Children's Hospital is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded, then please email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx