University of Westminster’s Monday Classic Matinée awarded Ward Budget Funding from Westminster City Council

9 April 2025

Ward budgets are a resource used by Westminster Councillors to support local issues and priorities. A total of £4,160 was awarded by the Bayswater, Marylebone, Church Street, Regent’s Park, St James and West End wards to support the long running programme.

Westminster’s Monday Classic Matinée runs every week and is open to Westminster residents over the age of 55 to reduce isolation and loneliness, encourage social engagement, foster friendships, build confidence and promote physical and mental activity. Each week the historic Regent Street Cinema, the birthplace of British cinema, screens classic films from Hollywood’s golden era and provides a space for the regular attendees to socialise with their fellow film fans.

Since the project’s inception in 2016 the University has worked in partnership with Open Age, Age UK and other partner organisations in identifying the need for this programme and attracting those who would most benefit. Over 70,000 people have attended the programme to date, with around 120 attendees every week. Tickets are also regularly allocated to the Carers Network, which has resulted in more than 834 visits from this target group alone.

One attendee recently said: “Isolation creeps up on you. I had no idea what a profound effect Matinée Classics would have on my life. I now have something to look forward to every week and feel that I have made friends. This is just what I was looking for.”

Jules Attanayake, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the councillors across the six wards that granted us Ward Budget funding for Monday Classic Matinée, for their generous support towards our integral community engagement programme which reduces isolation in older people. The programme relies on charitable donations to ensure that it continues to run and supports older people across the borough.”

This programme directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

To find out how to support the Monday Classic Matinée programme contact the Development Team.

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