Welcome to Dorset Humanists

Dorset Humanists is a friendly community group which exists to meet the varied needs and desires of people who think of themselves as humanist, atheist, agnostic, apostate, sceptical, freethinking - or just 'non-religious'. The 2021 Census revealed that 37% of the UK population have 'no religion'. According to the British Social Attitudes Survey, the non-religious population is 52%.

So what are the needs and desires of non-religious people and how can Dorset Humanists help to meet those needs? They include:

  • Meeting like-minded people
  • Feeling supported and validated
  • Learning new things
  • Doing things together
  • Having a presence in the community
  • Campaigning for changes in the law
  • Knowing where to go for humanist ceremonies
  • Feeling part of a global network of humanists

Dorset Humanists has been in Bournemouth and Dorchester since 1996. We're a partner group of Humanists UK, an Associate member of Humanists International, and an Affiliate of the National Secular Society. These larger organisations exist to promote the interests of humanists and non-religious people.

Dorset Humanists has a positive presence in the local community. We speak at the Bournemouth Remembrance Service, and we take part in the Bournemouth and Poole Holocaust Memorial Day event and the Bourne Free LGBTQ festival. We visit schools, either on our own or in dialogue with faith representatives, to inform children about humanism understood as a non-religious worldview. We also raise money for local charities through our Annual Appeal including the Hope for Food foodbank.

We’d love to be able to count you as a supporter or a member to raise the profile of the hidden majority of non-religious people. Please consider supporting Dorset Humanists by becoming a member for just £15.00 a year. Visit the ‘join’ tab and follow the instructions.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you!

World Humanist Congress  in Copenhagen, August 2023. From left: Gary McLelland (Chief Exec of Humanists International), Debbie Goddard (Vice President of American Atheists), and David Warden (Chairman of Dorset Humanists). Dorset Humanists is part of a global network of humanists, atheists, secularists, and freethinkers.
World Humanist Congress in Copenhagen, August 2023. From left: Gary McLelland (Chief Exec of Humanists International), Debbie Goddard (Vice President of American Atheists), and David Warden (Chairman of Dorset Humanists). Dorset Humanists is part of a global network of humanists, atheists, secularists, and freethinkers.