Giving Back to the Community

We are Stopgap Community Cinema, a CIC company based in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute. We are a CIC company whereby any profits are fed back for the benefit of the local community. We started screenings in November 2024 when the local cinema closed to seek a buyout. Since November 2024 we have held monthly public screenings and monthly free screenings for local charities and community organisations. Recently we have widened our operations to offer on the job work experience and more formal training via the Independent Cinema Office. At present we have Kyle, an adult with learning disabilities who is gaining on the job experience in front of house. We also have three unpaid interns, Keir, Angus and Mnstry, a Ukrainian refugee living in Helensburgh, who are receiving online training in all aspects of cinema operations. Kyle in particular has blossomed in his front of house role and proudly wears his 'staff' badge. We have just celebrated our first birthday and are seeking funding for our second year. We plan to organise monthly free screenings for local community organisations and charities and include 'relaxed' screenings designed for Dementia and Autistic audiences. There are many benefits of cinema beyond entertainment which includes stress relief, emotional catharsis and empathy building, and the social benefits include building social contacts and reducing isolation and loneliness. Each screening costs a distributor licence fee of £104.40 and room hire of £58.50, a total of £162.90 per screening.

Who Benefits

Local community organisations, charities, adults with learning disabilities, trainees including a Ukrainian refugee, and Dementia and Autistic audiences in the Helensburgh area