Our strategy
A tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail
By advancing the humanist approach to life, we inspire and support non-religious people to be happy, confident, and ethical, and we work with them for a better society. Our strategy to 2035 sets out how.
Why we do what we do
Humanists UK began in 1896, when a small group of Victorian ethical campaigners came together to speak up for values that were controversial at the time. Over 130 years, our movement has campaigned for many of the advances that shaped modern Britain, and pioneered the humanist funerals, weddings, and namings that are now a familiar part of national life.
Today, most people in Britain are not religious, and the values humanists once had to argue for are shared by millions. But many people have never heard the word for what they believe, and too many are still held back from living as they choose. Some freedoms won in past decades are being questioned again. That is why our work matters as much as ever.
The humanist values of which we were once the controversial proponents are now mainstream for millions of people in the UK.
Over 130 years of putting humanism into practice
Our strategy builds on a long record of turning humanist values into lasting change.
- 1896Ethical societies come together in the movement that became Humanists UK.
- 1963The British Humanist Association is formed.
- 1967Humanists help win the decriminalisation of homosexuality and reform of abortion law.
- 2008Our campaign helps bring an end to blasphemy laws in England and Wales.
- 2017We become Humanists UK.
- 2018Humanist marriages are legally recognised in Northern Ireland.
- 2025We merge with the Rationalist Association, historic publisher of
New Humanist. - 2026Our 130th anniversary, and the start of this strategy.
You can learn more about our history of promoting rational thinking and kindness on the Humanist Heritage website.
Three aims, one movement
Everything we do serves one of three aims. Each has its own team, and together they work towards a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Advancing the humanist approach to life
Millions of people share humanist values without knowing the word for them. We want everyone to be able to find out what humanism is, recognise it in themselves if it fits, and understand it if it doesn’t.
What we do
- Education. Our Understanding Humanism programme gives schools free resources, trains teachers, and sends trained humanist speakers into classrooms.
- Dialogue. Our volunteers take part in dialogue with religious groups, building understanding between people of different beliefs.
- Ideas and culture. New Humanist magazine, books, podcasts, lectures, and events bring humanist thinking to new audiences.
- Our history. Humanist Heritage tells the story of humanists and their achievements across the centuries.
- Online. Clear, engaging content about humanism on our websites and social media, for everyone who is curious.
The team: our Advancing Humanism team, which runs Understanding Humanism, our speakers and dialogue programmes, New Humanist, Humanist Heritage, publishing, events, and communications, and grows the community of members and supporters who make it possible.
Empowering non-religious lives
Non-religious people need support at life’s big moments and its hard ones, just as everyone does. We provide it, in ways that reflect what they believe.
What we do
- Ceremonies. Humanist Ceremonies celebrants create personal weddings, funerals, and namings across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies.
- Pastoral support. The Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network trains and accredits carers who support people in hospitals, hospices, prisons, universities, and the armed forces.
- Community. Local Groups and sections such as LGBT+ Humanists, Young Humanists, and Defence Humanists bring humanists together across the UK.
The team: our Community Services team, which runs Humanist Ceremonies, the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network, and our support for Local Groups and sections.
Securing universal freedoms
Freedom of thought, of expression, and of choice belong to everyone, religious or not. We work for laws and policies that respect them, limited only where needed to protect the rights of others.
How we create change
- Through politicsWe work with parliamentarians and officials of every party across the UK.
- Through the courtsWe support people challenging laws and policies that treat them unfairly.
- Through public opinionWe publish research and make the case in the media.
- Through citizensWe equip supporters to raise issues with their own representatives.
Standing with people whose freedoms are at risk
- Support for people leaving religion. Faith to Faithless offers a free, confidential helpline, peer support, and socials for people leaving high-control religions, and trains professionals to support them.
- Support for people seeking asylum. We help non-religious people who have fled persecution make their case for protection.
The team: our Human Rights and Advocacy team, including the Policy Unit, our public affairs and campaigns work, legal and international work, Faith to Faithless, and casework for non-religious people seeking asylum.
Powered by people
Two more aims make the other three possible: building a strong, growing community, and being a trusted national voice for non-religious people.
150,000+members and supporters
1,000volunteers, celebrants, and pastoral carers active across the UK
170+patrons, from scientists and writers to broadcasters
130+years of humanist campaigning
Building our community
Our work is funded mainly by the generosity of our members and supporters. We want to welcome more of the millions who share our values, and give more people the chance to get involved as volunteers, campaigners, and service providers. Wales Humanists and Northern Ireland Humanists bring that community together in each nation.
A trusted national voice
We want to be respected for our expertise and professionalism, and recognised as the leading national voice for non-religious people. We build lasting relationships with people in public life, the media, Parliament, and other charities, and work with governments across the UK where our aims are shared.
Behind it all, our operations team looks after the people, finances, and systems that keep the charity running well.
How we work
Our values guide everything we do, and are part of the code of conduct for everyone who works or volunteers with us.
- Engaging in dialogue and debate rationally, intelligently, and with evidence
- Recognising the dignity of individuals and treating them with fairness and respect
- Respecting and promoting freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
- Taking opportunities to combat all forms of prejudice and unfair discrimination
- Cooperating with others for the common good, including those of different beliefs
- Celebrating human achievement, progress, and potential
- Accepting that human beings are part of a wider natural world which must be treated sustainably
Freedom for everyone
We defend freedom of religion or belief for all, including religious minorities, because the same rights protect everyone. We work with politicians of every party, take part in dialogue with people of many faiths, and base what we say on evidence and human rights law.
Be part of it
Everything in this strategy is possible because people choose to support it.