Staff at Cotman House in Felixstowe have converted room

Staff at Cotman House, in Garfield Road in Felixstowe, have converted a room into a 12-seater cinema where visitors can watch classic films and musicals.

Chantal Sencier, senior customer relationship manager at the home, said the aim was to provide a place where people with dementia could get out of their homes and enjoy a movie, adding there were not enough such places for people with the condition in Suffolk.

People with dementia will be able to enjoy classic movies including Bond films and The Sound of Music (Image: Cotman House) READ MORE: Woodbridge: Dementia friendly golf club launch is a success

She said staff at the home were initially unsure what to do with the room, which has no windows, so they decided to create the cinema.

The cinema is open to the public, but visitors need to book a place beforehand by emailing Ms Sencier.

Screenings will be taking place on the first Friday of every month between 2pm and 3pm.

Ms Sencier added: "There is nowhere for people with dementia in Felixstowe so we wanted to make it a free, dementia-friendly experience.

READ MORE: Suffolk County Council launch strategy to help with dementia

"If someone was wondering 'what can I do with mum?' They could try this free, dementia-friendly experience."

The aim is to encourage reminiscence by showing classic films and musicals, such as The Sound of Music and Singin' In The Rain.

Ms Sencier said the movies would be tailored to the audience, therefore if it was a predominantly male attendance, a James Bond film might be screened.

A sensory experience will also be provided with different smells in the room to remind visitors of the cinemas of their youth, while there will be popcorn and smoothies, while the room will be better lit than a conventional, darkened cinema while the movie's on.

READ MORE: Thurston Library opens new dementia-friendly sensory garden

Ms Sencier said there would not be the "flashing lights and big booms" of a normal cinema, with the room being quieter to create a safe space for visitors.

She believed some cinemas may offer screenings for people with dementia, but said they did not have staff trained in dementia care who were able to attend to their needs.

She added: "It is a safe space for people to come to. I don't think there are enough experiences like that in Suffolk for people to enjoy.

"There are a lot of people in Suffolk that are just sitting in their houses. It is about getting people out and into their community again."