Downham Market heritage centre bags donation from supermarket scheme

A boost of more than £1,000 from a supermarket initiative will help a town’s heritage centre add to its attractions.

Discover Downham will receive £1,500 from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme and the money will be spent on its new children's area with tablets/digital displays allowing visitors of all ages to explore the history of Downham, its legends and wildlife in an interactive way.

These will include presentations, videos and audio clips.

Alongside this the centre, based in the old fire station at Priory Road, is creating interactive history boxes, adding to the library so children can read and borrow historical books, both fiction and educational and is updating the children’s historical dressing-up options with information about how fashions have changed over time.

Importantly for younger children and neurodivergent visitors, there will be sensory mats and toys available.

Project leader, Zowie Sweetland, said: “This award from Tesco enables these upgrades which will benefit the local children, families, schools and local youth groups who visit our museum as well as visitors to the town. It will be an asset to our local community and we look forward to welcoming visitors both old and new.”

Find out more about the centre at: www.discoverdownham.org.uk

To boost funds for extra food and activity equipment, Tesco has introduced a £5m grant programme, in partnership with Groundwork UK, to give children across the UK a stronger start in life. The grants will help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.

Tesco’s Stronger Starts was previously Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants - has already provided more than £115 million to more than 65,000 projects across Britain.