The Mayor of Dudley visited an innovative Sedgley church project to see how nostalgic films are helping people with dementia. The borough’s first citizen visited All Saints Church Hall in Sedgley to see their new ‘Reeling in the Years’ project in action.
The project helps to fight dementia by inviting people to watch movies from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, which will invoke nostalgic feelings and stimulate happy memories from the past.
Screenings will initially be held monthly - there is no charge to attend. Films planned over the next few months include Norman Wisdom, Singing in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz. There will also be tea and cake available and those attending will be encouraged to chat to each other. It is hoped that the project will move to be weekly if successful. 
Dudley Council provided some of the funding for the project.
The Mayor of Dudley visited All Saints Church Hall and chatted to organisers about how it could help people suffering from dementia.
Councillor Sue Greenaway, Mayor of Dudley, said:
“This is a wonderfully innovative scheme and will, I am sure, go some way to helping people suffering from dementia I’m glad the council was able to support this important community project and applaud everyone involved in helping local people with what can be such a cruel condition.”
John Anderson, from All Saints Church added:
“Dementia is becoming more prominent in our communities and we felt we had to do something for local people. Communities need to address this distressing illness and find support for sufferers and carers alike. We’re grateful to the council and other people who contributed to this important project and delighted that the Mayor could join us to find out more.”
Reeling in the Years has been sponsored by the discovery of dormant funds in the Sedgley Combined Charities – a charity set up in 1938 bringing together a number of charities some established in the 18th century - initially to provide poor law relief.
The trustees considered that reeling in the years was an appropriate use of funds. The scheme has also been funded with money from Dudley Council’s community forums which contributed £5,000 towards audio visual equipment and ASDA who contributed £15000 to refurbishment of the hall.
The BFI Film Audience Network, the UK Cinema Association and the Alzheimer’s Society have developed a dementia-friendly screening guide that will be used as the basis for choosing films to show.
Organisers are looking for help and anyone interested in supporting or attending one of the screenings can email admin@allsaintssedgley.co.uk or telephone 01902 540289.
