Humanists UK awarded OCN London Quality Mark for its training programmes

30 May, 2018

Humanists UK has been awarded the OCN London Quality Mark, a nationally recognised award for organisations that provide the highest standards of training and learning opportunities. The Quality Mark certifies the evident high quality across our training provision in ceremonies, pastoral support, and school speaking.

OCN London, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to improving people’s lives through learning, commented that ‘the evidence shows that in key areas, and at the time of the review, [Humanists UK is] clearly committed to, and effective in, delivering education and training opportunities of a high quality for its learners.’ The Quality Mark was awarded without a single recommendation for change or improvement.

Humanists UK operates a network of over 400 accredited celebrants who provide high-quality, personal, and meaningful ceremonies for non-religious people, including weddings, funerals and namings. Since launching in 2015, its Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network has seen over 200 carers trained to operate across a range of institutional settings, including in prisons, hospitals, and hospices. This has resulted in a number of paid positions in NHS trusts. And its network of school speakers has seen over 170 people trained to educate young people about non-religious worldviews.

Humanists UK also provides external training through its programme Faith to Faithless, which supports apostates and those leaving coercive and controlling religious backgrounds, and continued professional development for teachers.

Teddy Prout, Humanists UK Director of Community Services, commented, ‘The awarding of this Quality Mark is not only a recognition of the high standard and quality of education and training provided by Humanists UK across its community services. It is also a recognition of the hard-work, commitment, and dedication of the organisation, its staff, celebrants, pastoral carers, and school speakers to building a strong community network and resources for non-religious people.’

Notes

For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK’s Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at richy@humanists.uk or on 020 3675 0959.

Read more about Humanists Ceremonies: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/

Read more about Humanists Pastoral Support: https://humanists.uk/community/humanist-pastoral-support/

Read more about Humanists School Speakers: https://humanists.uk/education/schoolvolunteers/

At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.