Vale & Downland Museum

More than a museum – a place people belong

Why this place matters

The Vale & Downland Museum is a free, accessible and welcoming place where people of all ages come to learn, connect and feel they belong. Each year more than 55,000 people engage through hands-on learning, inclusive SEND provision and free community activity, returning not just for what the museum shows, but for how it removes barriers and brings people together.

Your donation can help keep the Vale & Downland Museum free, accessible and welcoming, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can learn, connect and feel they belong.

What your support could make possible

• £500 could fund a free family event for up to 100 children and their families to learn, explore and be inspired by local heritage.
• £1,000 could support our gallery talks, widening a popular programme that brings people together through learning and conversation.
• £2,500 could enable a community project developed with a local group, creating longer-term impact around inclusion, learning or wellbeing.
• £5,000 could help sustain a year of community and wellbeing activity, including talks, reminiscence sessions and volunteer-led engagement.
• £15,000 could contribute towards the museum’s core operating costs, helping keep the museum free, accessible and welcoming for all.

Case studies

Sam – learning that builds confidence

Sam is eight and finds classroom learning difficult. At the Vale & Downland Museum, learning feels different. He can touch, build, explore and move at his own pace. Teachers see children like Sam grow in confidence as curiosity replaces frustration. For Sam, the museum is where learning stops feeling like a struggle and starts to feel possible.

Aisha – inclusion that feels genuine

Aisha has additional needs and often finds public spaces overwhelming. At the museum, sensory backpacks, SEND-specific sessions and a calm, understanding environment allow her to engage in ways that work for her. There is no pressure or judgement. Her family describe it as one of the few places where they can relax, knowing Aisha is truly welcome.

Margaret – connection that reduces isolation

Margaret is retired and lives alone. She first visited the museum for a talk, but returned for the sense of connection. Familiar faces, shared conversations and welcoming spaces became part of her routine. For Margaret, the museum offers more than culture — it provides belonging, purpose and a reason to stay connected to her community.

* Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy; stories are representative of real experiences at the museum.