2019-09-05 11:35:26
Keen movie goers with learning disabilities in Barnet have been given the chance to enjoy the cinema experience from the comfort of their own home, thanks to charitable gifts left by people in their wills.
National charity Hft launched the initiative, coined Cinema Home Comfort at a supported living service. It gives people living at the service the chance to sit back and relax with the help of a wheelchair-accessible cinema room seating up to 25 people, complete with black-out curtains and a surround sound home cinema projector. People have the opportunity to share family videos, holiday highlights and favourite films, leading to greater social inclusion and meaningful engagement in a stimulating environment.
Cinema Home Comfort is located at the charity’s service in Barnet, where eight adults are supported to live in their own homes. The idea for the unique project came about after registered manager Samson Bello Ayeni noticed that some people at the service, including people with dementia or reduced mobility, or those on an end of life pathway, had limited opportunities to socialise and were struggling to travel through London to visit local cinemas.
The project was funded by Hft’s Funds for the Future grant scheme, which uses donations left to the charity through gifts in wills, and has funded four projects in the last year. Staff are encouraged to apply for the grants, which they can use to fund creative and innovative projects that make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities.
Since benefiting from the scheme, movie nights are a staple of life at the service, with people gathering every Saturday to enjoy some time together. Screenings have opened up the door to new discussions, stimulated social interaction and boosted relationships.
Registered Cluster Manager, Samson Bello Ayeni, said:
“This project was created with the aim of bringing people together and giving them the chance to experience something they may otherwise have found difficult to do. It has already brought so much joy to the people we support, and has become an essential part of how we can help people live the best life possible here in Barnet.”
Remember a Charity Week takes place from 9 to 15 September, and raises awareness to the public of the option to leave a charitable gift in their wills. During the week, Katie Tennyson, Hft’s Legacy Manager, is encouraging people to consider thinking about the difference they could make:
“A gift in will is certainly the last, but often the most thoughtful gift that a person can give to Hft. Projects like Cinema Home Comfort are a fantastic example of what can be made possible when generous people leave a charitable gift in their will.
“We would ask anyone thinking of leaving a gift in their will to consider Hft and give what they feel they can. Every gift, no matter what size, is welcome and will help fund amazing projects like Cinema Home Comfort in years to come.”
Hft currently supports more than 2,900 people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible. Services range from supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes to providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
Location: Hft London
