Shelterbox enjoyed a royal visit last week when the charity's president, the Duchess of Cornwall, officially opened its brand new Disaster Relief Visitor Centre.

The visitor centre, which is open six days a week in Truro and supported by corporate sponsors, uses interactive displays to illustrate how ShelterBox responds to the world’s natural disasters and conflicts. Here visitors can pack a green ShelterBox with the lifesaving items that help families living on the edge, and see how a cleverly-designed range of aid puts them on the road to recovery.

Like the duchess, every visitor can step into family tents that have been specially created to withstand all climates. They can see, and even buy, solar-powered LuminAids that bring light where power is down, and understand how ingenious water filtration and simple mosquito nets combat disease in disaster zones.

They can also sit in a genuine rickshaw, and try to lift a ShelterBox on bamboo poles – both showing the portability of ShelterBox aid where normal transport struggles. And there are electronic information pods, a special school area, and a chance to leave a written memento of what home, shelter and togetherness mean to you and your family. There is also a Disaster Challenge to take part in, with live weather maps and global operations updates.

The duchess enjoyed hearing inspiring stories of how ShelterBox helps after disaster strikes, speaking to the volunteers who deliver aid, and to the amazing fundraisers whose boundless imaginations and generosity make it all possible.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: "Colourful, interactive displays draw everyone in to stories that are engaging, compassionate, sometimes shocking. I think you’ll leave feeling proud to support such a warm-hearted Cornish initiative. Do come and visit."

The Duchess of Cornwall, who has been president of the charity since 2007, said: "ShelterBox are always coming up with something new. I just wanted to say how wonderful all of you are who work for ShelterBox."