Privacy Policy

The Friends of St. Benedict’s in Paddlesworth (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal information we collect through our website stbenspaddlesworth.org, how we use it, and the rights you have under UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information we collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Information you provide directly
- Newsletter sign‑ups (name, email address).
- Event bookings or RSVPs (name, contact details, attendance information).
- Donations (name, contact details, Gift Aid declarations).
- Contact form submissions (name, email, message content).
Information collected automatically
- Basic analytics data such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site.
- Cookies that support site functionality or anonymous analytics (see Section 7).

We do not collect sensitive personal data unless you choose to provide it (e.g., accessibility needs for an event).

2. How we use your information

We use your information to:

Send newsletters and updates you have subscribed to.
Manage event registrations and communicate about upcoming activities.
Respond to enquiries sent through the contact form.
Process donations and maintain Gift Aid records where applicable.
Improve our website and understand how visitors use it.
Meet our legal obligations as a UK charity.

We do not use your data for automated decision‑making or profiling.

3. Legal basis for processing

We process your information under one or more of the following legal bases:

Consent — for newsletters, optional cookies, and some contact form uses.
Contract — when you book an event or request information.
Legal obligation — for Gift Aid and financial records.
Legitimate interests — for basic site analytics and communication about community activities.

You may withdraw consent at any time (see Section 6).

4. How we store and protect your data

We store personal data securely using reputable third‑party services (e.g., email newsletter platforms, payment processors). We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

We retain data only for as long as necessary:

Newsletter data: until you unsubscribe.
Event bookings: up to 12 months after the event.
Donations and Gift Aid: up to 6 years as required by HMRC.
Contact form messages: up to 12 months unless needed longer for follow‑up.

5. Sharing your information

We do not sell or trade your personal data.

We may share information with:

Service providers who support our website, email newsletters, event management, or donation processing.
Regulatory bodies when legally required (e.g., HMRC for Gift Aid).

All third‑party providers are required to keep your data secure and use it only for the services they provide to us.

6. Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”).
Object to or restrict certain types of processing.
Withdraw consent at any time (e.g., unsubscribe from newsletters).
Request a copy of your data in a portable format.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below.

7. Cookies and analytics

Our website may use cookies to:

Enable basic site functionality.
Provide anonymous analytics to help us understand visitor behaviour.

Where required, you will be asked to consent to non‑essential cookies. You can change your browser settings to block cookies at any time.

8. Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to external sites (e.g., event partners, social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.

9. Contact us

For questions about this policy or to exercise your data rights, please contact:

Friends of St Benedict’s in Paddlesworth
Email: stbenspaddlesworth@gmail.com