Wallingford care home sets up cinema club for elderly

Benson House Care home, in Churchfield Lane, Benson, began a weekly screening of familiar favourites and seasonal classics to give elderly people a chance to get out and socialise.

George King, customer relations manager for the home, explained when Millstream Day Centre in Benson closed on a Thursday, leaving people with nowhere to go in the cold weather, he immediately began the cinema club.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire village plans for 250 homes get objections

He said: “What we’ve seen over the last couple of years since the lockdown, elderly people have been suffering from social isolation.

“Some people don’t drive, it’s hard to jump on a bus especially in small villages, and people are semi-restricted to where they are.

Wallingford residents enjoying a screening at the cinema club (Image: George King) “It can be easy to forget people, and because the transport’s not there, they can get more depressed in terms of their ability or even their willingness to get out, as people’s habits have changed.

“So, we’re trying to break that by giving them something fun to do, where they can come and have a coffee and a bit of popcorn and watch a movie together, or even just sit and chat.”

READ MORE: Grant concerns at 'sinister' Oxfordshire town council

The film schedule for the weeks up until new year are listed below, with further features to be decided democratically by attendees.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - November 28

Holiday Inn - December 5          

The Polar Express – December 12

White Christmas – December 19

The Snowman – December 26

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:            

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website        

• Advert-light access             

• Reader rewards             

• Full access to our app