The Cold War Network has been awarded £19,604 from the National Lottery Community Fund’s ‘Awards for All’ scheme to expand and strengthen its National Cold War Heritage Week initiative. This programme will build on the success of the 2025 pilot, which saw 15 attractions deliver behind-the-scenes tours, exhibitions, and talks.
The Cold War Network has grown rapidly to include more than 650 members, many attending free webinar and conference events. Members range from military museums and historic airfields to independently run bunkers and archive collections, as well as major Cold War heritage sites managed by The National Trust and English Heritage. The Network provides a collaborative platform for organisations and individuals to share expertise, resources, and stories.
Among other outputs, the funding award will enable the Network to co-create a Cold War Engagement Resource Pack – a flexible toolkit designed with member organisations to support community-led programming. The pack will include templates, guidance, visual assets, activity ideas, and promotional tools to help volunteers and small heritage sites deliver tours, talks, exhibitions, and school engagement activities.
In addition, the Cold War Network will deliver a series of free training webinars to upskill members in event planning, storytelling, public speaking, and accessible interpretation. These sessions will help member organisations recruit and retain volunteers.
Dr Peter Robinson, Chair of The Cold War Network, said:
“This award is a major boost for Cold War heritage across the UK. It allows us to empower volunteers, strengthen small heritage sites, and ensure that overlooked stories are shared with the public.
We’ll be encouraging sites to trial new approaches to storytelling and supporting them to highlight underrepresented voices, allowing the public to experience Britain’s Cold War heritage in fresh and meaningful ways.
This crucial funding support will allow us to develop National Cold War Heritage Week into a moment of pride and collaboration, showcasing the creativity and resilience of communities who care deeply about this important recent past.”
The project will create stronger peer links between member organisations and improve the long-term sustainability of Cold War heritage activity across the UK – all while allowing the Network to keep membership free and accessible.
About The Cold War Network:
The Cold War Network is a UK-based platform that brings together individuals and organisations with an interest in Cold War history and heritage. Its members include those who own, manage, or curate Cold War sites and collections, as well as researchers and community groups engaged in related work.
Established as a Community Interest Company in January 2025 following a research project hosted at Leeds Beckett University, the Network has grown to more than 650 members. It also organises National Cold War Heritage Week which celebrates community-led programming and raises awareness of Britain’s Cold War stories.
Membership is free and open to all. Sign up at: www.coldwarnetwork.co.uk.