On 22 October we marked 10 years of the CW+ MediCinema at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, celebrating a decade of stories, smiles and silver-screen magic.
Since opening in 2015, the CW+ MediCinema has welcomed more than 27,600 people to over 2,000 screenings, bringing comfort, joy and escape to patients and their families during some of their most challenging times.
Funded by CW+ and operated in partnership with MediCinema, the in-hospital cinema enables patients – including those in beds and wheelchairs – to enjoy the latest film releases and much-loved classics in a purpose-built, fully accessible cinema inside the hospital.
Regular screenings are held for inpatients, alongside personal sessions for vulnerable or end-of-life patients and tailored screenings for specific clinical groups such as children and adolescent mental health patients, people living with HIV, and the Chelsea Pensioners.
A decade of special moments
Over the past 10 years, the CW+ MediCinema has hosted many memorable events and visits from well-known film characters including Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Sven, Star Wars’ Chewbacca, the Paw Patrol pups, Peppa Pig’s Mummy Pig and Baby Evie, and Toy Story’s Woody and Bo Peep.
The cinema has also welcomed an array of celebrity supporters, including actors Chris Evans, Celia Imrie (twice!), Sheila Hancock and Andy Nyman, racing driver Lewis Hamilton, and authors Rick Riordan (for a Percy Jackson preview) and Adam Kay (for a special book event).
The CW+ MediCinema has even hosted BFI London Film Festival to patients and hosted a number of film previews, ensuring patients never miss out on the latest releases.
From the silver screen to the spotlight
The cinema has also played a starring role in several MediCinema campaigns. It was the set location for its cinema advert All Forgotten, featuring young patient Sienna alongside MediCinema ambassador Simon Pegg, and, more recently, for the Magic of Movies campaign with Disney.
Transforming the hospital experience
For patients like Rosalie, who underwent surgery for a long-term condition, the CW+ MediCinema has been a source of comfort and distraction during recovery.
Rosalie said: ‘Knowing there was [a cinema] there helped me – it gave me days to look forward to, knowing I was going to watch a movie… it helps you forget about all the bad stuff for a while.’
Lee Watson, Hospital Director of Nursing, said: ‘The CW+ MediCinema makes a profound difference to our patients. It offers a sense of normality, comfort and emotional relief that clinical care alone cannot provide. Seeing patients smile, relax and feel part of something special is a testament to the impact this initiative has had over the last 10 years.’
A lasting legacy
For the past eight years, Simon Hickson, Senior Cinema Manager, has led the CW+ MediCinema with warmth and dedication. Alongside a team of staff, nurses and volunteers, Simon ensures every visit offers patients and families a chance to relax and share the joy of film.
Watch our CW+ MediCinema 10th birthday reel:
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