Film Hub: Award-winning films that help healthcare teams see the world through the eyes of the communities that we care for
Ella and Abi The film is a positive, behaviour-change drama aimed at facilitating conversations around how nurses can work together better. Play video Description The film’s narrative is based on the lived experiences and reflections of being a nurse in London, developed through focus groups with 120 nurses. As understanding builds of why nurses choose to leave their jobs, it is clear that working conditions and culture are significant factors. ‘Ella and Abi’ holds a mirror to behaviour in the nursing profession and prompts discussion around how to ensure nurses can fulfil their potential by creating supportive workplace cultures. The primary aim is to create a platform for debate around the issues of staff retention, but ultimately it is a celebration of the compassion and skill at nursing’s heart. The film is currently being rolled out across the NHS in London. More information can be found on their website: Visit Capital Nurse Credits Writer and Director: Chris Godwin Procuction Company: Inner Eye Productions Commissioned by: CapitalNurse – an NHS organisation set up to “get nursing right in London”. Reflective questions Close Close Close Close Play video Trailer 1 minute, 51 seconds Watch Play video Full Film 21 minutes, 42 seconds Watch Play video Support Film – Introduction 4 minutes, 54 seconds Watch Play video Support – Full Film 3 minutes, 23 seconds Watch Reflective questions Inspired by the themes addressed within the film these questions are designed as prompts for group reflection. Your Response What’s one word that captures what stayed with you after watching? Which emotion showed up most strongly, and where did you feel it (head/heart/body)? If you had to describe the film to a colleague in one sentence, what would you say? Characters & relationships What do you think each character most needs, and what do they most fear asking for? Where did you see care, kindness, or solidarity? What enabled it? Where did you see small moments of harm (e.g., tone, dismissal, pressure) — and how did they build? What did the film suggest about how power shows up day-to-day (not just in job titles)? What felt unsaid between people — and what might have made it safer to say? Culture: “the water we’re swimming in” What cultural norms did the film highlight (spoken or unspoken rules)? Which behaviours were treated as “normal” — even when they were damaging? What does the film imply about belonging — who gets it, who has to earn it, who is excluded? Working conditions & retention The film points to working conditions as a key factor in leaving. Which conditions felt most decisive — and why? What pressures felt avoidable (design/culture choices) versus unavoidable (resource realities)? Where did you see “moral distress” (knowing the right thing, but being blocked from doing it)? What did the film suggest about the tipping point — the moment someone moves from coping to leaving? If you mapped the reasons for leaving into push (driving away) and pull (drawing elsewhere), what goes where? Compassion and skill What did the film celebrate about nursing — specifically (not just “it’s hard”)? Where did you see skill that is often invisible to outsiders (judgement, coordination, emotional labour)? What is the cost of compassion when the system depends on it to plug gaps? What would it look like to protect compassion as a professional resource (not an infinite supply)? Mirrors: “Where do we recognise ourselves?” What moment made you think: “I’ve seen that” or “I’ve done that” — and what did you learn? What behaviour in the film might be common among well‑intentioned people under pressure? Where did you notice blame shifting (to individuals) rather than accountability (for systems)? What’s one small habit you want to keep, and one you want to interrupt, after watching? Closing questions What’s one question you’re leaving with? What’s one commitment you’d make — personal, team, or organisational? What would you want every new nurse to hear on day one — that the film implies but doesn’t state? Related Posts Play video No Yeah Buts: A film about supporting nurses’ health A film by nurses for nurses exploring the stress, anxiety and fatigue they experience and the ways in which unhealthy coping mechanisms can be replaced by healthy ones. Watch now Play video Invisible This poignant film raises awareness of new fathers’ mental health and explores the factors impacting the emotional wellbeing of fathers following the arrival of a new baby. Watch now Play video Cycle of Change The film challenges menopause myths and provides clear, supportive information for women, employers, educators and healthcare professionals. Watch now
Description The film’s narrative is based on the lived experiences and reflections of being a nurse in London, developed through focus groups with 120 nurses. As understanding builds of why nurses choose to leave their jobs, it is clear that working conditions and culture are significant factors. ‘Ella and Abi’ holds a mirror to behaviour in the nursing profession and prompts discussion around how to ensure nurses can fulfil their potential by creating supportive workplace cultures. The primary aim is to create a platform for debate around the issues of staff retention, but ultimately it is a celebration of the compassion and skill at nursing’s heart. The film is currently being rolled out across the NHS in London. More information can be found on their website: Visit Capital Nurse Credits Writer and Director: Chris Godwin Procuction Company: Inner Eye Productions Commissioned by: CapitalNurse – an NHS organisation set up to “get nursing right in London”. Reflective questions Close Close Close Close Play video Trailer 1 minute, 51 seconds Watch Play video Full Film 21 minutes, 42 seconds Watch Play video Support Film – Introduction 4 minutes, 54 seconds Watch Play video Support – Full Film 3 minutes, 23 seconds Watch Reflective questions Inspired by the themes addressed within the film these questions are designed as prompts for group reflection. Your Response What’s one word that captures what stayed with you after watching? Which emotion showed up most strongly, and where did you feel it (head/heart/body)? If you had to describe the film to a colleague in one sentence, what would you say? Characters & relationships What do you think each character most needs, and what do they most fear asking for? Where did you see care, kindness, or solidarity? What enabled it? Where did you see small moments of harm (e.g., tone, dismissal, pressure) — and how did they build? What did the film suggest about how power shows up day-to-day (not just in job titles)? What felt unsaid between people — and what might have made it safer to say? Culture: “the water we’re swimming in” What cultural norms did the film highlight (spoken or unspoken rules)? Which behaviours were treated as “normal” — even when they were damaging? What does the film imply about belonging — who gets it, who has to earn it, who is excluded? Working conditions & retention The film points to working conditions as a key factor in leaving. Which conditions felt most decisive — and why? What pressures felt avoidable (design/culture choices) versus unavoidable (resource realities)? Where did you see “moral distress” (knowing the right thing, but being blocked from doing it)? What did the film suggest about the tipping point — the moment someone moves from coping to leaving? If you mapped the reasons for leaving into push (driving away) and pull (drawing elsewhere), what goes where? Compassion and skill What did the film celebrate about nursing — specifically (not just “it’s hard”)? Where did you see skill that is often invisible to outsiders (judgement, coordination, emotional labour)? What is the cost of compassion when the system depends on it to plug gaps? What would it look like to protect compassion as a professional resource (not an infinite supply)? Mirrors: “Where do we recognise ourselves?” What moment made you think: “I’ve seen that” or “I’ve done that” — and what did you learn? What behaviour in the film might be common among well‑intentioned people under pressure? Where did you notice blame shifting (to individuals) rather than accountability (for systems)? What’s one small habit you want to keep, and one you want to interrupt, after watching? Closing questions What’s one question you’re leaving with? What’s one commitment you’d make — personal, team, or organisational? What would you want every new nurse to hear on day one — that the film implies but doesn’t state?
Play video No Yeah Buts: A film about supporting nurses’ health A film by nurses for nurses exploring the stress, anxiety and fatigue they experience and the ways in which unhealthy coping mechanisms can be replaced by healthy ones. Watch now
Play video Invisible This poignant film raises awareness of new fathers’ mental health and explores the factors impacting the emotional wellbeing of fathers following the arrival of a new baby. Watch now
Play video Cycle of Change The film challenges menopause myths and provides clear, supportive information for women, employers, educators and healthcare professionals. Watch now