What we’re about
Welcome to Central London Humanists!
CLH provides a meeting place for humanists, the secular, and other non-religious people, particularly those who live or work in the central London area of the UK.
Every month we hold a talk/lecture and several social events. Our social activities include group socials, a book group, picnics, walks, museum & cultural visits and theatre trips.
If you're not religious, or doubting your faith or belief and like open-minded communities, and would like to meet like minded people, come along and join us!
As we don't have a membership fee, a donation of £3 is suggested at each meeting. This goes towards our running costs, partnership fees and charitable donations. If it's your first time, we don't expect a donation.
We are a partner group of Humanists UK.
We are an Associate Member of Humanists International.
We're also on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Some of our previous talks are available on YouTube.
Anyone who joins us on Meetup can participate fully in events. They can suggest events, participate in organising events and much more.
As we are such a large group, each year we hold an AGM and elect a committee to help manage the group. To be a voting member of Central London Humanists, or to be a member of the committee, you must be a paid up member of Humanists UK (to join go here).
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Roots of Rationalism in India w/ Alavari Jeevathol - Origins of Humanism SeriesLink visible for attendees
Photo by vicky munde on Unsplash
CLH & Association of Black Humanists presents: From the Unreal to the Real — the Roots of Rationalism in India with Alavari Jeevathol.
We’re proud to present this special joint online event hosted by Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists, part of our Global Origins of Humanism series. In this series, we explore philosophical traditions from around the world that have influenced contemporary humanist thinking.
For our first talk, we welcome Alavari Jeevathol (AJ), Vice President of Humanists International, CLH Committee Member and an advocate for humanism and interfaith dialogue.
AJ will guide us through the origins, teachings and modern relevance of Indian Rationalist Traditions.
- Origins
- Core values
- Modern Influence
💬 A live Q&A session will follow the talk.
💡 Learn more about Alavari Jeevathol and his work:
🔗 Profile at alavari.info- National Multifaith Youth Centre
- Humanism Now podcast
- Faith to Faithless: a supportive community for those leaving religion
- Central London Humanists
- Humanists International
- Jai Bhim Comrade - Dalit activism and self-respect documentary
- Devotional song from the mystical traditions of India - God without form
- The Perennial Philosophy, by Aldous Huxley
- Constitutional implications of the definition of terrorism in the UK
This event is free and open to all. Whether you’re a long-time humanist or just curious to explore indigenous ethical traditions, you’re warmly invited.
Please RSVP to receive your Zoom link.
How to Join:
Register here on Meetup or Eventbrite. We do not charge to attend our online talks – but we ask for a £3.00 donation from those who are able, to help cover the group's costs (we do not have a membership fee like other groups).An online donation of £3 can help us continue offering events like this and more - please use this link.
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Central London Humanists is a volunteer-run community group. We aim to provide a safe space for the humanist community in London to come together for fellowship, learning and fun. We receive no financial support and are entirely funded by donations from our membership and event attendees.Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
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Stay Connected with Central London Humanists- Subscribe to our mailing List
- For more events follow us on Meetup
- Chat with fellow members in our WhatsApp Community
- Follow us on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
- Listen to the Humanism Now Podcast
For any questions email us at info@centrallondonhumanists.org.uk
- Theatre Trip: STOREHOUSE by Sage & JesterDEPTFORD STOREHOUSE, London
- Pre-Drinks: 16:00 (Venue TBC)
- Showtime: 17:00
# STOREHOUSE
Step inside STOREHOUSE, one of the most artistically ambitious, large-scale immersive theatre events ever to be staged in the UK.
In a vast, disused warehouse in Deptford – once the paper store of Britain’s most influential newspapers – you’ll uncover a sprawling, hidden archive, built to house every news story, message, memory and meme ever transmitted across digital networks the world over.
Since the dawn of the internet in 1983, these have been gathered and meticulously catalogued by an underground collective, in the belief that if all humanity’s stories are brought together, they will reveal a higher, universal truth that could change everything.
But the narratives inside the Storehouse are beginning to compete, and its only remaining founder is fading fast. A successor is desperately needed to safeguard the mission and decide what’s preserved, rewritten or destroyed…
Truth Lies Here. Are you ready to take a stand?
What is Storehouse? Check out the trailer: https://youtu.be/wvYEUSxCSP0
PLEASE BOOK YOUR TICKETS DIRECTLY, HERE:
https://tickets.sageandjester.com/event/33825/performance/989748- £47.50 - Full Price
- £25.00 - 16-25 Rate
Closer to the date I'll post here where to meet for a drink and/or bite to eat before the play.
Sage & Jester is an innovative arts production company. We take critical thinking and wrap it in stories, laughter and immersive experiences that combine curiosity, wisdom and wit.
The show starts at 17:00 but as latecomers may not be allowed please be at the entrance to the theatre at 16:45 at the very latest.
- What Humanism Means to Me: Personal Experience Shares, Social & EntertainmentOld Diorama Arts Centre, London
You are invited to join us for an enjoyable evening of personal humanist stories, socialising and entertainment – accompanied by complimentary refreshments. Equally suitable for long-term members and newcomers to humanism.
In collaboration with our good friends, the Association of Black Humanists.What to expect
- Now in its third year, this popular event is a twist on our classic talks format.
- Instead of one speaker there will be four short personal stories from London humanists, members of the network talking about what humanism means to them – this always resonates powerfully with our audience.
- The talks will be followed by a long break for socialising and discussion over complimentary refreshments.
- We will close with some excellent entertainment (to be announced).
- Then we will move on to a nearby pub to continue the fun.
Additional features
- We will have some 'discussion tables' during the break, hosted by experienced members of the group, if you would like to ask questions about humanist themes.
- We will hold a raffle to raise money for our designated charities: the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust and Faith to Faithless who offer apostasy support and advocacy as part of Humanists UK
Date: Wednesday 24 September
Time: 7 PM Presentation, join from 6:30 PM
Venue: Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street,Regent’s Place, London, NW1 3FEItinerary in Detail
- Please join from 6:30 PM to mingle over complimentary drinks
- The talks presentation is 7 PM – 7:45 PM, introduced by Lola Tinubu and Tabassum Khanom Sumaiya, our event hosts, hear our four wonderful speakers sharing their stories
- Socialising and discussion, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM, during the break, with complimentary food and drink
- 8:50 PM reconvene for Raffle prize giving followed by…
- 9 PM entertainment (To be announced)
- Moving on for the after party to a nearby pub, The Queen's Head and Artichoke, where we have tables booked – all welcome
Our comperes Lola Tinubu and Tabassum Khanom Sumaiya plus the volunteer team on the night will all work to ensure that the event is friendly, inclusive and fun.
This event is free to attend but if you would like to support our work, you may make a £3 voluntary donation at the venue (or in advance, see below). This is not expected at all from first timers or those on low incomes.
If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to make the £3 donation online, please click here. Alternatively you can do a transfer using our account details: Central London Humanist Group, Sort code: 30-94-25, Account number: 19143068
Please note this event will be recorded and we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event.
Your Speakers
Aseel M (Speaker)
After leaving behind her conservative religious upbringing and home country, Aseel has been an active member of the Humanist community for six years. There she discovered a strong sense of belonging and an enriching environment in which to explore and live her new life in line with her core values. She is now committee member at CLH and is a leading organiser of events and socials for those who have left high-control religions in London.Laura Iteman (Speaker)
Laura is a Freethinker. She is a Pharmacist by profession. She has formed a group for young women, called Non Religious Black London Girlies, (NRBLG).
She created a Tiktok post in mid July 2025 about wanting more agnostic/atheist black friends. It received a lot of traction leading her to form a Discord community which now has over 400 members in the space of a month. She posted on Twitter about creating this space for black agnostic/atheist women. This has led to widespread online backlash and attack from believers. On a positive note, the post also attracted immense support.Alan Palmer (Speaker)
Having been a church-attending agnostic for most of his earlier life, Alan became a Humanist about 20 years ago. A former Chair and Treasurer of Central London humanists, he is still a Committee member and previously served as a Trustee of the British Humanist Association (now Humanists UK).Zak Winduss (Speaker)
After leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Zak moved from his hometown in New Zealand to London, where he began exploring humanism. Though new to the movement, he is passionate about the values of curiosity and compassion, and has a special interest in supporting others who are navigating life beyond religion.Lola Tinubu (Joint Compere)
Raised in a devout Seventh Day Adventist family in Nigeria, Lola became a proud humanist about 19 years ago, and is a co-founder of Association of Black Humanists (ABH). She is a Legal Representative for Refugees and Migrants, as well as being a staunch supporter of the LGBT community, a feminist, and an unapologetic atheist and humanist.Tabassum Khanom Sumaiya (Joint Compere)
… is a passionate blogger, freethinker, and activist dedicated to human rights, feminism, and animal welfare. A student of LLB and a committed feminist since 2018, she began her advocacy journey after witnessing the injustices faced by women in patriarchal systems. In 2021, following a courageous journey of self-discovery as an ex-religious person, she embraced atheism and humanism, overcoming immense personal struggles. With the support of Humanists UK, she found a renewed purpose, transforming her advocacy into a powerful testament to hope, justice, and humanity.Resources and FAQs
…for members, supporters, and participants in CLH activitiesSee here for our knowledge base packed with important, useful information about the group, the organisers, and what we offer the community. See here for our code of conduct and complaints policy.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
- CLH Book Group 📚 Kingdom of Characters by Jing TsuRoyal Festival Hall, London
September's Book: Kingdom of Characters: A tale of language, obsession and genius in modern China by Jing Tsu.
What does it take to reinvent the world's oldest living language?
China today is one of the world's most powerful nations, yet just a century ago it was a crumbling empire with literacy reserved for the elite few, left behind in the wake of Western technology. In Kingdom of Characters, Jing Tsu shows that China's most daunting challenge was a linguistic one: to make the formidable Chinese language - a 2,200-year-old writing system that was daunting to natives and foreigners alike - accessible to a globalized, digital world.
Kingdom of Characters follows the bold innovators who adapted the Chinese script - and the value-system it represents - to the technological advances that would shape the twentieth century and beyond, from the telegram to the typewriter to the smartphone. From the exiled reformer who risked death to advocate for Mandarin as a national language to the imprisoned computer engineer who devised input codes for Chinese characters on the lid of a teacup, generations of scholars, missionaries, librarians, politicians, inventors, nationalists and revolutionaries alike understood the urgency of their task and its world-shaping consequences.
With larger-than-life characters and a thrilling narrative, Kingdom of Characters offers an astonishingly original perspective on one of the twentieth century's most dramatic transformations.
The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.
We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.
While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.
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£3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free!
If you prefer, you can pay online, by clicking here.We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.
