Heritage Network has published its third annual impact report detailing the contribution that community heritage organisations have on people and places throughout the UK.
What does this mean?
The Impact Report details the impact achieved by Heritage Network members throughout 2025, as well as 8 individual ‘impact stories’ from members across the UK, highlighting the variety of work that members undertake.
Highlights from the report include:
- Over £60million spent by members restoring buildings, structures or land
- 43 properties were removed from ‘at risk’ registers
- 209 restoration projects were completed
- Members had over 21,000 volunteers
“I would like to thank all the busy people in member organisations that took the time to complete the impact survey and contributed to this impressive report. It will help us make the case to Governments, funders and other decision makers that community heritage delivers so many benefits and is worth investing in.” – David Tittle, Chief Executive.
Why this year’s report goes further than before
Previous reports have featured 4 case studies from around the UK, but this year, the report includes 8 impact stories from Heritage Network members. These impact stories aim to showcase the variety of work happening throughout the UK, the variety of buildings and spaces our members look after, and the variety of uses that these spaces have for their local communities.
From Haverfordwest Heritage in Wales, which is a charity demonstrating how regenerating a town centre can have a positive impact on the local community, to Sailortown Regeneration in Northern Ireland who are working towards making a former place of worship into a thriving community hub.
These stories provide a snapshot into the current work of Heritage Network members, but they show how heritage is often about the everyday buildings and places that are important to people.
Furthermore, there’s a section in the report about the Heritage Network’s work with young people. This is an area that’s expanded over the last year thanks to the Essential Networks project, and we are proud to be able to offer opportunities for young people in the heritage sector. In 2025, we were able to recruit 3 trainees, launch our Young Trustee programme ‘Step on Board’ as well as reach 300 youth forum members.
Why is it important?
The Impact Report is vital for demonstrating how much of an impact community heritage organisations have on heritage and their local areas, as well how this landscape changes from year to year, and what effect this may have on the sector.
The report shows an increase in members who are planning a restoration project from 217 in 2024 to 231 in 2025.
The types of sites being restored by members also shows the variety of historic buildings being restored across the UK. Some report examples include:
- 13% of sites were Places of Worship
- 10% of sites were Industrial
- 3% of sites were Burial Grounds and Mausoleums
These community organisations are not only contributing to the heritage sector and reaching buildings that larger organisations may not be able to, but the report shows they are having a positive impact on their local areas. 29% of member sites are used as community facilities, and 19% are used for Health and Wellbeing services.
What happens now?
View the Heritage Network Impact Report 2026
The Impact Report is available to view online via the link above and will be shared across the heritage industry with funders, local authorities and other organisations who provide support to the sector.
Our aim is to promote the significant contributions made to the Heritage sector and local communities by Heritage Network members. We stand by our members and highlight that community led regeneration is a vital part of the heritage sector.
If you or your organisation is involved in community heritage and would benefit from specialist advice, guidance, training, support, networking and events, then get in touch about membership at the Heritage Network today.
The Impact Report was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
