Round of applause for the Ritzy - South London Cares

Please note: this post is 86 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

The Ritzy cinema is a Brixton institution, as well as an iconic south London landmark. Since 1911, it’s been a centre for excitement, escapism, and of course, cinema. So, for over a century, locals have been getting together on the same spot to socialise and share new experiences.

In the last few decades Brixton has gone through an intense period of change, which has seen new developments built, hundreds of new businesses come and go, and lots of young professionals move to the area.

Many of the older neighbours in the South London Cares community have lived in Brixton for upwards of 50, 60 or even 70 years. So they have lived those changes. Although innovation and change can be exciting when you’re at the centre of it, if you feel left behind by it, it can be isolating.

That’s why it’s so fantastic that since March 2017, the Ritzy have welcomed over 220 of their fellow Brixtonites over for a spot of sociable cinema. On past visits, Josephine, Diana and co have been on far-away adventures to The Lost City of Z and sleuthed along with Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express.

On Wednesday, Sarah and the Ritzy team invited their neighbours back for a third spectacular visit, as the gang were treated to gloriously uplifting screening of The Greatest Showman. On leaving, Gloria shared her review: “the message rang true – friendship and togetherness are the most important things of all”, while Miriam told us “I’ll be singing and dancing all day!”.

Such generous acts of neighbourliness from the team at the Ritzy have served to remind Arif, Audrey and co just how valued they are. But don't take our word for it, instead listen to Stella: “I can’t tell you how special I’ve been made to feel today, I feel like I’m really part of the Brixton community and it’s wonderful!”.

And, as if welcoming their older and younger neighbours over for free cinema screenings wasn’t enough, Sarah and the team at the Ritzy have also provided South London Cares with multiple raffle prizes for our fundraising events. Thus helping us to fund even more fantastic community get-togethers as part of our social clubs programme.

So we'd like to say a huge thank to you the whole Ritzy team for helping the older neighbours in their community to feel more valued, connected and included.