The British Red Cross Museum and Archives exist to collect, preserve and make accessible to a wide audience the history of the organisation and its place in the context of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and to actively support the work of the British Red Cross today. 

The collections largely comprise records generated by and objects acquired by the British Red Cross from its formation in 1870 to the present day. It also includes a small number of items relating to the Crimean War (1854–1856) and the foundation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (1859–1864), setting the collection into context. 

The items in the Museum and Archives collections relate to the British Red Cross and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, with connections to the people who served with or received assistance from the organisation or Movement.