AN INDEPENDENT charity in Dorset has opened a cinema for disabled children.

The Dorset Children’s Foundation has installed a new cinema room in its charity shop in Bournemouth.

The addition is part of the ‘accessible for all’ programme by the charity, which helps to improve the lives of children with disabilities.

It includes a large screen, and large bean bags for wheelchair users to get comfy on, with much of the equipment kindly donated by company Together for Cinema.

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It is hoped that the space can be used for birthday parties, sing-a-longs, themed days in the shop, and intimate days for families with disabled children.

Patsy Hallmey, co-founder of the Dorset Children’s Foundation, said: “Having our very own cinema installed is wonderful and has opened up amazing opportunities for the families we support, who often are not able or are not comfortable accessing mainstream cinema.

“In many instances the cinema environment is just too noisy for a disabled child. Also having to sit still and not make noises to disturb others, for example is not always possible. So having our own accessible and inclusive cinema means so much.”

Luke and Wayne Crutcher from Living Home Technology, who installed the cinema, said: “We can remember going to the cinema for the first time as kids, and having grown up to build cinemas for a living that magic clearly hasn’t gone away for us.

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"It was such a special moment for each of us when we took our children to the cinema for the first time, but realising that this isn’t possible for families of children with serious medical conditions, we looked for a way to help.

"We really wanted to make a difference and help this local charity. We’ve loved being involved – Together For Cinema do such amazing work and it’s been an honour to contribute to their projects and bring joy to children who might not otherwise get the chance.”

The cinema is located inside the Dorset Children’s Foundation's charity shop in Bournemouth, which is found in the Sovereign Center.