What did Impact 2025 show?
Heritage Network members are currently filling out the latest Impact Survey. The results from this survey will generate the Impact Report, an annual report that gets circulated across the heritage sector and beyond.
The Report showcases our members’ achievements in the previous year, and the impact that they have on the heritage sector. Last year’s report showed over £50 million was spent by members restoring buildings, structures or land and that members removed 46 properties from at-risk registers.
In 2025, a new section of the report highlighted the different uses, types and historical periods of member sites. 34% of sites were used as community facilities, 23% were used as Arts venues and 16% as Business units. Places of worship were the most common type of member site at 16%, but members also worked with Burial grounds and Mausoleums (7%) and Historic Gardens (7%). Members also challenged common perceptions of what a heritage site is, with 18% of members working with sites from the 20th century.
The report also showcases some of our members via ‘Impact stories’. These are stories that add further meaning to the figures on the page. Previous years have shown the power of people through the volunteer led The Mill of Benholm in Scotland, and the many ways a church building can be utilised for the benefit of the community through Circus Eruption in Wales. This year, we’re including more of these impact stories from across the UK.
Who receives the report?
Anyone can access the report; it’s published on our website, and circulated to members, local authorities and key organisations in the heritage sector.
These organisations include the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO. Professor Mike Robinson offers his view on what the Impact report contributes to the heritage sector:
“The UK’s heritage sector is an extensive resource that underpins community identities and local and national economies. Networking, collaboration and partnership are the critical mechanisms that generate value and which underpin our heritage. This Report from the Heritage Network helps us to understand the impacts of working together, the value of local action and the difference it makes to all of our lives.” Professor Mike Robinson, Vice-Chair and Non-Exec. Director for Culture, United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO
The report is important for continuing to ensure community heritage regeneration is recognised and that our members achievements are being talked about.
We can’t do this without our members taking the time to complete the survey, and we’d like to thank all who have filled out the survey so far. If you’re a member you can fill out the survey at any time up until the 28th February, and you’ll have received your link via email. Please get in touch if you have not received it.
The 2026 Impact Report is due to be published in April.
The Impact Report is made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players
