Know what a church is really like — before you join, and while you’re inside.
A community-built, independent record of what it’s actually like to be part of independent churches in Scotland — in the words of the people who’ve been there.
Think of it as Glassdoor, but for churches.Reviews are being gathered now. Search goes live as the first accounts come in.
Why this exists — and who’s behind it
There’s a strange gap in how we make decisions. Before we take a job we can read reviews from people who’ve worked there. Before we book a hotel we can see what other guests thought. But before we give a church our time, our trust, our families, and often our money — there’s almost nothing. You find out what a place is really like only once you’re deep inside it.
This was started by someone who watched people they love be harmed inside an independent church — and, in some cases, cut off from their own families. It isn’t a campaign, it isn’t run by a journalist, and it isn’t connected to any church, denomination, or organisation. It exists to close that gap: to let people compare notes and make informed choices, the way they can about almost everything else.
For now I’m staying anonymous — deliberately. This should be about the experiences people share, not about me, and keeping my name out of it helps protect the people who contribute. You can still reach me privately at any time.
Share your review
Been part of an independent church? Help the next person by sharing what it was really like. You’ll record a short account in your browser.
The good as much as the bad
This only works if it’s honest — which means the whole picture, not just the difficult parts. A church that looks after its people deserves to be seen for that just as much as one that doesn’t. Positive, critical, or mixed: every genuine experience helps the next person decide.
👍 If it was good
Say what made it a healthy place — the care, the community, the leadership done well. That’s worth recording too.
👎 If it was hard
Say what went wrong, in your own words. You’re not accusing anyone — you’re describing your own experience.
How it works
Record
Speak naturally about your experience. Pause, play it back, or start again.
Review
We turn it into a written summary. You read it, edit it, and confirm it reflects you.
Choose
You decide how you’re identified — including fully anonymous — before anything is shared.
Honest about where we’re at
This is early. We’re gathering the first accounts now and building the picture before anything goes public. We’ll be completely clear about how and when reviews are published — and you’ll always have the final say over your own — before anything appears.
Your account is yours. Nothing you record is shared or published without a clear, separate decision and your agreement.
How you’re identified is up to you
Choose what you’re comfortable with when you submit:
Privacy & safety — and one honest exception
Your recording is private and securely stored. We don’t share it, and we don’t publish anything without a separate decision and your agreement.
There is one important exception, and we’d rather be plain about it: if something you tell us suggests that you, a child, or another person is at risk of serious harm, we may have to share that information with the police or social work services to keep someone safe — even without your consent.
Please also note that recordings are reviewed later, not as you speak — we aren’t able to respond in the moment.
If you need help right now
If you are in crisis, or someone is in immediate danger, please contact the people below — they can help straight away.
- Emergency: 999
- Police Scotland (non-emergency): 101
- Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
- Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87
- NSPCC (concern about a child): 0808 800 5000
- Childline (under 18): 0800 1111