Community Groups and Volunteering
Downham Market has a remarkable number of community groups, charities and volunteers who help make our town a better place. Whether you’re looking for support, want to volunteer, or simply want to become more connected with your community, this guide brings together the organisations, projects and local initiatives that can help.
We also believe that resilient communities are built before they’re needed. That’s why this page includes not only charities and support services, but also opportunities to repair, share, grow, learn and support one another.
Food and Essentials
Transport
Families and Children
Wellbeing and Health
Nature and Environment
Building a stronger Downham
Communities become more resilient when neighbours know one another and share skills, resources and support. Here are some ways you can get involved.
Buy Local
We have a wealth of independent shops in town, as well of course as our historic market. Buying local reduces transport costs and emissions, as well as supporting the local economy.
Repair Rather Than Replace
If we repair our items, they last longer and save us money too. We have a local Repair Collective where you can ask for advice and support, and they occasionally meet up for repair-a-thons too. Find them on Facebook here. If you have skills to offer, please join the group too!
Sharing is Caring
Have household items, clothes, shoes, tools, etc and would like to gift them to someone who needs them? We have a Downham Market Freebies group where people share unconditionally. Join this group on Facebook here.
Volunteering
Volunteering can help you to develop new skills or put your interests and hobbies to good use within the community. Showcasing volunteer experience on your CV can help give you a competitive edge when looking for a job, particularly for young people who might not have as much employment history. It’s rewarding and good for your mental health.
Looking Forward…
We would love to see the range of projects in Downham Market grow, if you’re looking for inspiration then here’s a few ideas that would be amazing additions to our town.
Library of Things. Library of Things is a place where you can borrow useful Things for your home, projects and adventures.
Buying Clubs. A small group of households buying staple foods together directly from wholesalers.
Community Orchard or Veggie patches. Fruit trees or vegetables planted in publicly accessible places, available for anyone to work on and benefit from.
Food Growing Network. Connect neighbours together to share seedlings, surplus, compost, advice and skills.
Savings Clubs. A savings club is a community that pools money together.
Car Clubs. a community group owning a car(s) and allowing members to access them on-demand by the hour or day.
If you are a community group or charity and would like us to publicise a volunteering opportunity, please get in touch via our contact page.
