Privacy Policy for Cole Forums a Peer Support Group Website

Effective Date: 2 October 2024

1. Introduction

At Cole Forums we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect any personal information that you provide when using our website. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable laws in the UK.

By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this policy.

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

Sarah Cole
t/a Cole Forums
Sarah Cole Consultancy Ltd.

15 Rotherslade Road
Langland
Swansea
SA34QW
Wales
United Kingdom

3. Information We Collect

We collect and process the following information from visitors to our website:

• Personal Data: Information such as name, email address, and any other details you provide when signing up for newsletters, support services, or submitting inquiries.
• Technical Data: Your IP address, browser type, operating system, and device type, as well as browsing actions and patterns, collected via cookies and similar technologies.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including pages viewed, time spent on the site, and interaction with various resources.
• Anonymised Data: Feedback and data provided through surveys, chat rooms, or forums that do not directly identify individuals but help improve our services.

4. How We Use Your Information

We collect and use your personal data for the following purposes:

• To Provide Services: To respond to inquiries, provide peer support, and deliver relevant information.
• To Improve Our Website: To analyse website traffic, monitor user behavior, and enhance the quality of content and services offered.
• To Communicate: To send updates, newsletters, or other communications related to our support services (with your explicit consent).
• To Comply with Legal Obligations: Where required by law or to respond to legal requests.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following lawful bases for processing your personal data:

• Consent: Where you have explicitly provided your consent, for example, to receive newsletters or participate in surveys.
• Legitimate Interests: To operate our website and provide support services, ensuring a safe and functional platform for all users.
• Legal Compliance: To meet legal obligations, such as those relating to data protection and safeguarding.

6. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. However, we may share your information with trusted third parties in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: To help us run the website and provide services (e.g., IT support, email services) while ensuring they comply with strict data protection requirements.
• Legal Requirements: To comply with legal obligations or protect the rights, safety, and property of Cole Forums or others.

7. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. All information is stored securely, and access is restricted to authorised personnel.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Once your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

9. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

• Access: To request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: To correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure: To request the deletion of your personal data (subject to certain conditions).
• Restriction: To limit the processing of your data in specific circumstances.
• Data Portability: To request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: To object to the processing of your data in certain cases, such as direct marketing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at sarah@coleforums.com.

10. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to collect information and improve the user experience. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings. For more information, please see our Cookies Policy.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these external sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and where appropriate, notified to you by email.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at:

Sarah Cole t/a Cole Forums
Sarah Cole Consultancy Limited
15 Rotherslade Road
Langland
Swansea SA3 4QW

sarah@coleforums.com
+44 7971414166

This Privacy Policy is designed to ensure transparency about how your data is collected and used while you engage with our peer support group website. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to safeguarding your information.

Data Controller

The data controller for the website is Sarah Cole at Cole Forums, responsible for overseeing the management and protection of all personal data collected in accordance with UK data protection laws. Contact the data controller on sarah@coleforums.com

Collected Personal Data

The data collected from visitors to the UK peer support group website includes user demographics, session duration, page interactions, and anonymized feedback to help improve the platform's resources and support offerings.

Purpose of collecting data

The purpose of collecting this data is to enhance the user experience, tailor resources to meet visitor needs, and ensure the peer support group provides effective, relevant assistance to its community.

Cookie Policy for Cole Forums Peer Support Group Website

Effective Date: 2 October 2024

1. Introduction

At Cole Forums, we use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website, improve functionality, and provide a better service. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and how you can control their use.

By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies as outlined in this policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember your preferences and actions (such as login information or language settings) over a period of time, making your browsing experience more efficient.

Cookies may be "first-party" cookies (set by our website) or "third-party" cookies (set by other websites or services).

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies on our website:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable core functions such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, the site may not perform as intended.

Performance Cookies: These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous data on page visits, traffic sources, and user activity. This helps us improve the performance and content of the website.

Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow the website to remember your preferences and choices, such as language settings or login details, to provide a more personalized experience.

Targeting/Advertising Cookies: We may use these cookies to track your browsing activity and show you relevant content based on your interests. These cookies are often placed by third-party advertising networks.

4. Third-Party Cookies

In some cases, we use third-party cookies from services such as Google Analytics, social media platforms, or embedded content (e.g., videos). These cookies are managed by external providers and are used to analyze site traffic, provide social media features, or track user interactions with third-party content.

We encourage you to review the privacy and cookie policies of these third parties for more information on how they manage your data.

5. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

Ensure the website operates efficiently and securely.

Improve the overall user experience by storing preferences and personalizing content.

Analyze traffic and understand user behavior to enhance website functionality.

Provide relevant content and targeted advertising based on browsing history.

6. Managing and Disabling Cookies

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website and could result in a less personalized experience.

To manage or delete cookies, follow the instructions provided by your browser:

Google Chrome: [Link to Google Chrome's cookie management guide]

Mozilla Firefox: [Link to Firefox's cookie management guide]

Apple Safari: [Link to Safari's cookie management guide]

Microsoft Edge: [Link to Edge's cookie management guide]

Alternatively, you can visit https://www.allaboutcookies.org for more information on managing cookies across different browsers.

7. Consent for Cookies

Upon your first visit to our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or decline the use of cookies. You can update your cookie preferences at any time by accessing the settings in your browser or the cookie settings on our website.

8. Changes to Our Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, data protection laws, or our use of cookies. Any changes will be posted on this page, and where appropriate, we will notify you by email or through a notice on our website.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact us at:

Cole Forums
15 Rotherslade Road, Langland, Swansea,  SA3 4QW
sarah@coleforums.com
+44 7971414166

By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and agree to our use of cookies.