I have used these resources for my own learning around the formation and use of the Manchester Together Archive before I started working with the collection, and also to deepen my understanding of the potential meaning and use of archives of spontaneous memorials more generally and the challenges that were likely to be encountered when working with them. Having easy access to examples of existing digital archives of spontaneous memorials helped shape my thinking around the design and functionality of an online archive for the Manchester Together Archive. I have also shared the resources with volunteers on the project who were interested in finding out more about work that has been done with spontaneous memorials around the world.

Initiatives to collect and study spontaneous memorials have multiplied over the last 15 years, but without coordination. The creation of the spontaneous memorials network has made it possible to federate many of these initiatives, opening the way to comparative research work, as well as the development of reference protocols and the sharing of best practices among archivists and international professionals. In this respect, this network constitutes for me, as for my French colleagues, researchers and archivists, a resource of great value and without equivalent.

I continue to find this a unique, helpful, specialist resource in my work which includes providing training, research and consultancy to various authorities dealing with disaster. By way of example I include reference to the conference, project and website in my regular training with Multiagency Gold Incident Commanders (the MAGIC course) across the UK who I help prepare to lead emergency response following any major incident. The website continues to provides them – and me – with valuable resources, case studies and international contacts to help with the practical management of memorialisation after mass fatality incidents. Many thanks to Kostas and colleagues for this great resource.