Discovery Planet

Inspiring Inclusive Enriching

Our
Impact

Discovery Planet delivers a programme of accessible learning experiences from a welcoming venue on Ramsgate High Street

Everyone in Thanet has access to an inspiring space, where they can participate in enriching activities, and build a vibrant, cohesive community

To deliver a programme of inspirational, enriching learning activities, with an emphasis on STEM.
To broaden participation by listening to our community and identifying barriers to taking part.
To provide opportunities for people to come together and find joy through shared positive experiences
To enhance our offer by collaborating with a range of individuals, organisations, and businesses
To maintain a creative, innovative approach, pushing boundaries to inspire participants.
To create opportunities for work experience and volunteering.
To contribute to a vibrant High Street.
To provide infrastructure support to other individuals and organisations, so that they can deliver activities of benefit to the community.

Discovery Planet was founded by Xanthe Pitt, Nikki Hildesley and Dr Vicky Mason when we first brought a planetarium to Ramsgate in 2014. Since then, over 25,000 people have enjoyed our interactive workshops, events and exhibitions. Our team has expanded to include volunteers of all ages and walks of life, and we collaborate with a wide range of organisations, individuals and businesses. We now operate from a former optician’s shop on Ramsgate High Street, which has been transformed to create Discovery Planet HQ, a bright, welcoming, and inspiring space for the whole community.

Discovery Planet is a social enterprise, which means that any revenue we generate is invested back into producing activities of benefit to the community.

Over the years we have mentioned in the British Science Association’s 2018 Impact Report; used as a case study in a paper published in Research for All, featured as an example of best practice in a book published by Imperial College, smashed flowers, put our heads in real clouds, danced an Ethiopian Limbo, eaten beetles, and much more!

Winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Prize 2024

Shortlisted for a Creative Lives Award 2024

Winner of the South East Physics Network Award for Innovation 2023

Winner Ramsgate Society Award 2023

Winner of the Ogden Trust Award for Longitudinal Projects to Widen Participation 2022

Winner Heart of the Community Award from Kent Media and London Array 2018

Commended National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement - Images of Public Engagement Awards 2017

Team

Director and Creative Producer

Nikki Hildesley

Nikki has over 20 years’ experience working as a Project Manager and Creative Producer in Film and TV, Art, Theatre and Education. On the Kent coast, she worked on the ‘Art Inspiring Change’ project at Turner Contemporary, Margate in 2018, and managed the production of commissioned artworks for Folkestone Triennial in 2021.

Nikki oversees project management for Discovery Planet, and is the main point of contact for schools, researchers, businesses and other organisations wishing to use the shop.

Director and STEM Lead

Dr Victoria Mason

Vicky is an education and science communication consultant, with over 10 years experience as a Senior Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kent. She has vast experience of developing and delivering science outreach and engagement activities as well as public engagement training for post-graduate students. Vicky undertakes STEM workshop development and delivery for Discovery Planet; provides training for others; and co-creates activities with researchers, industry collaborators and community groups.

Director and Creative Producer

Xanthe Pitt

Xanthe is a former solicitor, with over 13 years’ experience working on urban and community regeneration projects. Xanthe’s understanding of the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and her strategic perspective enables Discovery Planet to identify and lever in additional value and resources wherever possible. She brings creativity and imagination to the table; ensuring that every event is inspiring, and unforgettable.

Our Volunteers

Discovery Planet could not operate without the assistance of volunteers, who bring their skills, knowledge, love and enthusiasm to the table. Over the years our events have been enhanced by people from a range of backgrounds and situations, including university students; school pupils; retirees; people on employer supported volunteering schemes; or participants who have built up their confidence and want to play a more active role in running sessions.

If you want to get involved, please email info@discoveryplanet.co.uk

47, High Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9AG

In 2022 we took over a former optician’s shop on Ramsgate High Street and used our magic to transform it into Discovery Planet HQ; a bright, welcoming, and inspiring space for the whole community.

From DPHQ we run a year-round programme of workshops, with a focus on STEM, developed in collaboration with University researchers and exciting local businesses.

We also run activities designed to connect the community through shared positive experiences. High Street Social Club, for example, was set up to tackle loneliness and isolation, and Happy Mondays, run by a team of local experts in creative engagement, ensures that people have a safe place to socialise and express themselves each week. In 2023 we celebrated the positive contribution of Migrants with a party and an exhibition, and will do the same this year,

Our space is available for other local organisations and individuals to hire at affordable rates, so that they can run activities of benefit to the local community. We can support you to develop your idea, facilitate the event, help find some funding, or simply let you get on with it. Just get in touch by calling Nikki on 07887 614 581