Introduction

This Privacy Policy outlines when and why we collect personal information about visitors to our website, how we use it, the conditions under which we may disclose it, and how we keep it secure.

If you are a service user of The Sussex Heart Charity or have contacted us via our helpline, please refer to the relevant privacy section for information about data collection, use, and storage.

What Information Do We Collect?

We may collect information when you use our website, for example, when you contact us about volunteering, make a donation, or sign up for our newsletter.

The personal information we collect may include:

  • Contact Information: Name, address, email address.
  • Technical Information: IP address, website usage details (e.g., pages accessed, dates, and times).

If you make a donation or purchase online, your card information is not stored by us. It is securely processed by third-party payment providers as detailed below.

How Do We Use Your Information?

We may use your information to:

  • Process donations and respond to your enquiries.
  • Seek your feedback on our services.
  • Send communications you have requested or may be interested in, such as updates on fundraising events.
  • Process job or volunteer applications.
  • Maintain a record of your interactions with us.

Who Are We?

In this policy, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to The Sussex Heart Charity.

Your Acceptance of This Policy

By using our website or providing your personal information, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our website.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Updates will be posted on our website, and significant changes may be communicated via email where appropriate.

Last updated: January 2025.

Compliance with Data Protection Laws

We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 by ensuring that we:

  • Process data lawfully, transparently, and fairly.
  • Collect only the necessary data for specific purposes.
  • Keep data accurate and up to date.
  • Retain data only as long as needed.

In some instances, we may retain your data to ensure we do not inadvertently contact you after you opt out.

Marketing Preferences

If you have opted to receive updates about our work or ways to support us, you can change your communication preferences or opt out at any time.

Sharing Your Data with Third Parties

We do not sell or swap your data with any third-party organisations for marketing purposes.

Data Collected Through Our Website

  • Enquiry Forms: When you contact us through our website, we collect your name and email address to respond to your enquiry.
  • Donations: Your payment information is processed securely by trusted providers (e.g., WorldPay, Stripe, JustGiving) in compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards.
  • Cookies and Analytics: We use cookies to track website usage and improve functionality. This data is anonymised and does not identify you personally.

We use Google Analytics to collect information such as visitor numbers and page interactions. This helps us improve the website experience.

E-Newsletters

We use a third-party provider (e.g., Mailchimp) to distribute e-newsletters. We monitor open rates and click-throughs to improve our content.

Your Data Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access Your Data: Request a copy of your personal information.
  • Correct Inaccuracies: Ask us to update or correct your data.
  • Request Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data. In some cases, we may need to retain minimal information to ensure you are not re-contacted.
  • Change Communication Preferences: Update how we contact you or the type of information you receive.

Requests should be made in writing, and we will respond within one month.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

Security Measures

We take robust measures to protect your data from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access. Our website uses encryption to ensure secure communication.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us via the form on our website or by writing to:

The Sussex Heart Charity
Southpoint, 8 Paston Place,
Brighton, BN2 1HA

We aim to respond to all enquiries within one month.

Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to external websites. This privacy policy applies only to our website, and we are not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites.

By staying informed and managing your data preferences, you help us continue our mission to support heart health in Sussex.