Our history

A photograph of a woman in Bangladesh wearing a Red Crescent vest and pink scarf, smiling at the camera.

10 things you might not know about the Red Cross

The Red Cross has been around for more than 150 years - think you know everything about us? We bet you're wrong...

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
1870 drawing of a British Red Cross nurse tending to the wounded.

150 year of British Red Cross volunteers

The people who have shaped our organisation

content type Story estimated reading time 4 minutes
A Christmas card with violet flowers in the middle and the phrase 'Good fortune' on the outer edges, handmade by Florence Nightingale.

A Christmas card from Florence Nightingale

From our archives, a handmade Christmas card from a legendary nurse.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
Flood waters around Enniskillen

Our Stories — Our Times: After Good Friday

Discover how the Red Cross in Northern Ireland has evolved over time while continuing to play a vital role in upholding it's core principles in a post-conflict society

content type Article estimated reading time 6 minutes
In this piece by the artist Banksy, a child plays with a basket of superhero toys, and is seen lifting a doll dressed as a Red Cross nurse through the air

Why do older images of nurses’ uniforms have a red cross?

The nurse depicted in Banksy's Game Changer artwork bears the red cross emblem - but why?

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
A group of WWI Red Cross volunteer nurses are seen in their uniforms, which show a large red cross emblem on the fronts

Breaking barriers: women leaders from our history

Learn about the trailblazers of the British Red Cross

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
Constance, a volunteer from the Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) branch of the British Red Cross, 1960s

Black history is British history: a celebration

Our curator introduces an exploration and celebration of Black British history in our online exhibition

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
A black and white photograph showing a British Red Cross nurse lights cigarette for seated patient, as they both smile

Celebrating nurses through the ages

From WWI to the coronavirus pandemic, let's hear it for the nurses who've looked after us through so much.

content type Article estimated reading time 3 minutes
The Royal Mint 150th anniversary coin designed to honour 150 years of kindness through the British Red Cross.

Celebrating our 150th on a Royal Mint coin

A look at the inspiration and history behind the design

content type Article estimated reading time 3 minutes
A close-up image of a section of the original Changi quilt

What is the Changi quilt?

Created by a defiant group of women prisoners during the Second World War, the Changi quilt is packed with secret messages and hidden meanings

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
An illustration of the British Red Cross's garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Against a backdrop of trees, Alpine plants and column-like planters with a water feature flowing throughout

The British Red Cross’s first garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025

Our ‘Here for Humanity’ garden, inspired by Red Cross founder Henri Dunant, is showcased between 20-24 May 2025

content type Article estimated reading time 3 minutes
A black and white photograph showing a large Red Cross truck arriving in Normandy, with soldiers looking on.

D-Day: How the Red Cross helped in World War II

The Red Cross was involved at every stage of D-Day, planning supply chains, caring for wounded soldiers and more.

content type Story estimated reading time 4 minutes