Arts Derbyshire receives 4 year grant to take dementia-friendly cinema project ‘Matinée’ county-wide

Arts Derbyshire Arts and Health project, Matinée, has received a high-profile grant of £175,000 from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Arts Access and Participation ‘More and Better’ Fund. The project will bring the magic of cinema
to community locations across Derbyshire for those living with dementia, their carers, friends and family.

The grant will enable Arts Derbyshire, the strategic arts organisation for the county, to expand Matinée over four years, working in 9 different venues across the county and with a wide cross-section of partners including: the Film
Hub North West Central; Derby QUAD; Derbyshire County Council Arts Team, Public Health and Adult Care; CCGs; The University of Sheffield; The Alzheimer’s Society; the Dementia Action Alliance; and Age UK. Matinée, currently piloting in Amber Valley District, Derby QUAD and Glossop, provides a safe and accessible space for people with dementia and their family, friend or carer to come and enjoy a classic film, chat and refreshments in a positive, friendly and welcoming environment. Cinemas and social activities are often inaccessible to this increasing and often marginalised group; Matinée acts as an everyday, enjoyable leisure activity, helping to reduce social isolation. Working with Derbyshire Libraries and local artists, the afternoon’s entertainment also includes reminiscence, singing or film-based chat alongside film showings, prompting engagement, stirring memories, and encouraging deepening of relationships. The aim is to make the afternoon as fun and light-hearted as possible – and it’s always accompanied by plentiful tea and cake!

Alongside the screenings, partners at ScHARR (School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield) will collect evidence throughout on running dementia-friendly film events, and its effectiveness in reducing social
isolation for this group. This learning will feed into the British Film Institute Film Audience Network’s plans for a national accessibility strategy, as well as enabling other groups in Derbyshire and beyond to expand their dementia friendly arts offer through Matinée training and dissemination of good practice.

For more information or to express an interest in Matinée as it develops please contact: Helena Reynolds, Arts and Health Coordinator, Arts Derbyshire, Derbyshire County Council artsandhealthderbyshire@gmail.com

For further information on current screenings see: www.artsderbyshire.org.uk/matinee or contact: Matineederbyshire@gmail.com
 

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