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Charity opens cinema for families with sick children

Sophie Madden
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC Joshua is sat on a leather sofa, with cushions behind him. On the wall behind him are cinema posters. He is wearing a grey hoodie, blue t-shirt and has short brown hair. BBC
Joshua has been staying at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham since June

A charity which supports families with a child in hospital has opened a cinema to allow them to make memories during treatment.

Ronald McDonald House gives families whose loved ones are undergoing treatment at Birmingham Children's Hospital a place to stay nearby.

The new cinema, it said, would offer those using its services a place to enjoy some family time and a sense of normality during challenging times.

Parent Joshua, from Leominster, Herefordshire, said it was a "fantastic" facility.

A darkened room with a screen on one wall, wooden door and floor, and a variety of chairs and beanbags.
The cinema has sofas and beanbags for families to relax on

Ronald McDonald House is an independent charity which operates 14 houses across the UK, keeping families together and close to their children in hospital.

They provide a place to sleep, cook and retain some sense of normal life.

The new room was installed by Walsall-based The Big Picture, with support from community interest company, Together for Cinema.

Vishal Duggal has a bald head, a black beard and moustache. He is wearing a white shirt and black glasses. He is sat on a leather sofa, and cushions behind him have a film theme, one with a caption saying 'Popcorn'. Behind him is a grey curtain.
Vishal Duggal hopes the cinema will help families relax

It features a 100-inch screen with cinema-style speaker system, blackout blinds, dimmable lighting and a popcorn machine.

Vishal Duggal from the charity said: "The families are definitely going through difficult times in their lives.

"We can just make them feel more relaxed.

"It gives them a place to put their feet up and enjoy a little moment for themselves."

Family Baby Joshua is seen sleeping with his eyes closed, lying in his parent's arms. Joshua has light hair which is spiked at the top of his head. He has a tube into his nostril, secured with a nude plaster. He also has a white tube, secured with a white bandage onto his neck. Family
Joshua is receiving care at Birmingham Children's Hospital

Joshua's son, who is also named Joshua, has been at Birmingham Children's Hospital since June 2024.

He has undergone surgery to treat oesophageal atresia, where the the oesophagus is not joined to the stomach and also has a laryngeal cleft, which is an abnormal opening between the larynx and the oesophagus.

Joshua and his wife Natasha, who also have two older daughters, are expected to stay until about September, when a care plan is put in place for baby Joshua so they can look after him at home.

He described the facility as a "God-send".

"If we are here and something happens we can be there instantly," Joshua said.

"It is more comfort than anything, knowing you are so close.

He said the cinema adds something extra during their stay.

"You can be having a stressful day and then we can come back here, unwind for a few hours," Joshua added.

"It is just nice to know that you have got the option to come back here."

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