The Cold War Network is developing a practical Volunteer Toolkit to support member organisations in recruiting, welcoming, supporting and developing volunteers. The work forms part of the Network’s National Lottery Awards for All-funded project.
At the recent CWN Members’ Day at Drakelow Tunnels Museum, members began the co-creation process by sharing their experiences of volunteering across the Network. Discussions explored the volunteer journey, the particular opportunities and challenges associated with Cold War heritage, examples of approaches that have worked well and the resources that would be most useful.
We would now like to hear from members across the wider Network.
Our new questionnaire asks about:
- the roles volunteers currently undertake;
- roles organisations would like to introduce or develop;
- the main challenges involved in recruiting and supporting volunteers;
- issues that are particularly relevant to Cold War heritage;
- the guidance, templates and practical resources that would be most useful;
- examples that could help other Network members; and
- opportunities to contribute to the next stages of the toolkit.
The questionnaire should take approximately 7–8 minutes. You can respond on behalf of an organisation or from your own experience as a volunteer, employee, freelancer, trustee, researcher, enthusiast, collector or supporter.
You do not need to have attended the Drakelow workshop to take part. If you did attend, we would still value your response, as the questionnaire will help us build a consistent picture of needs and priorities across the Network.
The questionnaire also provides an opportunity to express an interest in contributing an example of something that worked well that can be turned into a case study, reviewing the draft toolkit or testing the resources. This does not commit you to taking part; it simply allows the project team to contact you about an area in which you have expressed an interest.
Responses may be summarised as part of the project findings, but individuals and organisations will not be identified without further agreement.
Please complete the questionnaire by Friday 6th November 2026:
COMPLETE THE CWN VOLUNTEER TOOLKIT QUESTIONNAIRE
Your experience will help ensure that the finished toolkit is practical, proportionate and relevant to the different organisations and volunteers involved in caring for and sharing Cold War heritage.
If you have any questions or would prefer to share an example directly, please contact Alison Buckley at alison.buckley@robinson-moore.com.