In common with other religions inspired by Jesus of Nazareth, Unitarians are concerned about the welfare of their fellow human beings. Unitarians regard action in the world to alleviate suffering, overcome injustice, combat prejudice and care for their environment as an essential part of their religion. This seems to us one of the most important lessons from the life of Jesus. This does not mean that we regard the importance of the spiritual dimension to life any less highly, but because we do not regard religious truth as a fixed set of beliefs to be clung to with all our strength, but more as a pathway for each person to seek out for themselves, we tend to expect our beliefs to lead to practical consequences.

Historically there have always been eminent Unitarian social reformers both in Britain and America, and at grass-roots level Unitarians remain active in local, national and global organisations and initiatives. In the Victorian era (1837-1901) many social reforms were pioneered by Unitarians. The founder of the "Penny Post", Sir Rowland Hill was a Unitarian. Prior to the introduction of the "Penny Post" and pre-paid postage the visit of the postman was viewed with dread by the working class; one letter could easily cost a days wages.

In the field of caring Unitarians were pre-eminent: Richard Carr Gomm introduced sheltered housing; Florence Nightingale, grandaughter of a unitarian campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade, pioneered nursing; Dr Southwood Smith started the first nursing home and William Rathbone (MP) founded district nurses. Other names include Mary Dendy and Dorothea Dix who advocated care for the mentally handicapped and the insane. In the field of education John Pounds started the first 'ragged school' and Mary Shipman Beard founded the first nursery school. James Heywood was responsible for the removal of the requirement that university students that be practising members of the Church of England before they could be awarded their degrees. Mrs Gaskell and Charles Dickens both used their novels to campaign for social improvements.

Many Unitarians, often finding inspiration in the natural world for their religious vision, attach particular importance to ecological issues and the Unitarian national "theme" for the period 1995-97, Cherishing the Living Earth, reflects this.