For the past four years the Beta course has been piloted in churches of different denominations and within the Cambridge Theological Federation.

Quotes from participants:

'Beta answers the questions that Alpha raises.'
Bishop Anthony of Ely

'What attracted me to Beta was the chance to have more honesty in the church.'
Canon Alan Hargrave, Ely Cathedral
'
Its transformational. As a result of Beta we decided to form into a pastoral care team...We have become aware of so many people who are ill or suffering, and this is a beginning.'
Carol Monks, Beta facilitator, All Saints Church, Hartford

'Attendance at house groups has doubled; everyone wants to be doing Beta'.
Sarah Abersold, Ridley Hall, Cambridge (at Hills Rd)

Everyone I meet is talking about Beta.'
Rev. Rhiannon Jones, Fulbourne

'We have now completed the course and it was a huge success. We ran two groups concurrently together numbering about 21 people. I thought the content, presentation, form and structure were excellent, by far the best ready made programme I have ever seen.'
(Rev. Barry Linney, Cherry Hinton)

'We have two Beta groups running at Blackburn at the moment and both are going extremely well. Last evening we reached (session 5), 'Depression'. It was a surprisingly cheerful occasion, but I was stunned to find how many people had had significant periods of depression. It was very helpful to talk about these things in a confidential yet open way.'
Canon Michael Wedgeworth, Blackburn Cathedral

'I have been waiting for something like Beta to come along and
make use of the insights psychology can offer to the application of
Biblical teaching about healthy lifestyles, relationships, spiritual
growth and mental health. I think Beta was long overdue!! Well done to
the Cambridge team for all their hard work in making this happen.'
(Nicky Rattigan, NHS clinical psychologist and Beta facilitator at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Brampton)

from Alpha:
'I think the way you are describing Beta as being compatible with Alpha and yet a separate initiative is a very accurate statement of how we see the relationship. We are certainly more than happy for you to continue positioning the course as such and are delighted to hear of the progress you are making.'
(Tricia Neill, Executive Director, Alpha International, Holy Trinity Brompton

'We hope the course is a great blessing to many churches and to many
people.' (Nicky Lee, Alpha International)

'You are not replacing the church or the Bible with psychology- you are returning to the church what is rightfully hers.
(Elaine Levitt, Lay Reader, Hartford)

'This course would have been a joy at any time, but at this critical time in my life, well... WOW. (Fiona Unsworth, church member, Huntingdon)

'We all ended up in a slightly different place; changed attitudes will always have an effect sooner or later'.
'It made me think and it made my outlook on life brighter'.
'Beta gave an opportunity for open and genuine discussion'.
'We thoroughly enjoyed the course and will be running it again
(Sarah Oakland, Diss, Norfolk)