Warm Spaces cinema returns to York

York St John University is pleased to invite the local community to free Warm Spaces film screenings this winter. The University’s Cinema & Social Justice project is screening all-ages favourites Zootropolis 2 and Happy Feet at City Screen York. The project is supported by York Community Energy and Kitchen for Everyone York, with funding from the Portakabin Community Support Fund.

The events are free and include free hot drinks for attendees. Booking is via the following links:

Monday 26 January – Zootropolis 2, 10:30am

FREE WARM SPACES SCREENING: ZOOTROPOLIS 2

Monday 23 February – Happy Feet, 10:30am

FREE WARM SPACES SCREENING: HAPPY FEET

The events aim to provide warming community connection at one of the coldest times in the year. Organisers hope they will be of particular value to anyone struggling to meet the cost of their energy bills.  Zootropolis 2 attendees will be able to seek advice from York Community Energy about managing fuel poverty, and the Happy Feet audience will be able to access information about support from Kitchen for Everyone York.

This year’s events follow on from a successful one-off screening of Paddington in Peru last January. This proved so popular that it had to be moved to the largest possible screen at the last minute with cinema goers keen to see more such events:

“It feels good that these things are happening. I heard about it as I’d gone to my GP about my mood being low because of the cost of living crisis and everything. There are a lot of people a lot worse off than I am really but even though I’m working I still can’t afford to put the heating on.”

“Sometimes in order to pay for my heating I spend a lot of time away from home and make use of warm spaces. I hope a lot more families are able to participate and feel comfortable, it strengthens the community ties. It’s important that we integrate and not live in our own bubbles.”

Dr Martin Hall, Associate Professor of Film and Media studies at York St John University said:

“We’re so pleased to be able to offer more warm spaces screenings after the success of our pilot event last year. For those who struggle with regulating home temperatures or have limited access to resources, the consistent warmth provided by cinemas can be a crucial relief. And in addition, the welcoming ambience of a cinema can help to promote relaxation and comfort, as well as reduce isolation, anxiety and stress.”

Dr Lauren Stephenson, Senior Lecturer in Film, Media and Communications at York St John University said:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to these community events. Cinemas are ideal venues for sustaining community and connection, and we’re very pleased to be able to collaborate again with City Screen York, along with York Community Energy and Kitchen for Everyone, to provide support and a warm space this winter.”

Tabatha Hurst, Head of Sustainability at Portakabin said:

“We’re delighted to be able to support this project through the Portakabin Community Support Fund. The team at York St John are providing a warm community space to people in our city who need it most.”

Kitchen for Everyone York is a charity that provides meals and other support to those experiencing homelessness or in vulnerable situations in York. Chair of Trustees Jools Rebbeck said:

“Kitchen for Everyone York are delighted to be involved in the Cinema and Social justice project. Offering a warm space, a relaxed warm drink and some time for a chat can seem like such a small thing but to many of the people we work with this may be the highlight of their week. Alongside the chance to watch a film in a cinema right in the centre of the city without worrying about the cost. We hope that there are many more of these opportunities to support our most vulnerable in our beautiful City.”

Latest available government data shows 17% of households in Yorkshire and the Humber are in fuel poverty, the second highest regional rate in England.

Help and advice from York Energy Advice.

More about support from Kitchen for Everyone – York – Feeding the Homeless & Vulnerable