A new initiative is kicking loneliness and isolation to the curb as it bids to integrate OAPs back into the community.

Bringing free tea, biscuits and afternoon entertainment to those ‘most in need’, The Knightswood Community Cinema is hoping to get pensioners out and about again.

Glasgow Times: Glasgow Times: After officially launching on Monday, October 2, with romantic-comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It (Lily James, Emma Thompson) at the Knightswood Community Centre (KCC), Gordon Giles, development officer at KCC, said: “Some of the pensioners in the local community are really poor souls.

“They are stuck at home or have lost spouses, and it is just really sad to think about.

“With the community cinema, we can get them out of the house and chatting with people, helping them to see old friends and even make new ones.

“It will be a nice warm place to come that will prioritise those most in need and anyone who may be struggling during this time with bills being so high.

“It feels nice to help, we aren’t sure how many will turn up, but we are sure it will be great.”

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The service, which has been funded by the likes of Glasgow City Council’s Area Partnership scheme, comes after a successful pilot last year, which created the start line for demand.

Gordon said: “We ran the community cinema as a pilot last year from February to June.

“There were a lot of pensioners that turned up, about 100 a week, they just loved it.

“After it ended, we soon became inundated with people wanting the community cinema to return.

“I would even go out and about to the local co-op and people would spot me and ask when it was starting again.

“So, there is a huge demand there for the service.”

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Though the community cinema may be targeted at pensioners, the initiative is in fact open to all.  

Gordon explained: “The cinema will take place during school hours (all films are due to start at 1pm), so the club is mainly for pensioners and carers.

“But we also want to welcome people with disabilities and any adults that wish to come along.

“Those with special needs can also come along for a film and enjoy a day out.”

Gordon added that the community cinema’s film on October 16, Parental Guidance (Comedy starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler), will be open to kids and families, as it falls alongside October break.

Glasgow Times:

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Also on the film schedule is the drama Allelujah (Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench), which will be screened on October 9, as well as the comedy-drama, Local Hero (Bill Forsyth and Peter Capaldi) on October 23 and The Duke (Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren) on October 30.

North West Recovery Communities volunteers will be on hand to serve free goodies to attendees each week and there is no need to book a place.

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For more information about the community cinema, you can check out the Knightswood Community Centre’s Website or Facebook.

Alternatively, you can call on 0141 959 9419.