Privacy Policy

Help Helps CIC (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled safely, securely, and lawfully.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

• Data Protection Act 2018

• ICO guidelines

By using our website or services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Help Helps CIC
Company Number: 16846839
A community interest company providing well-being support, guidance, signposting, and form-filling assistance.

Contact Email: info@helphelpscic.org

We act as a data controller, meaning we determine how your information is processed.

Personal Information

• Name

• Address

• Email address

• Phone number

• Date of birth

• Gender (optional)

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Sensitive Information (Special Category Data)

Collected only with your explicit consent, including:

• Medical records, GP summaries, consultant letters

• Information related to disabilities or health conditions

• Details of domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns

• Mental health disclosures

• Benefit claim information

• Supporting documents for applications (e.g., Blue Badge, PIP)

Technical Data (Website)

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device type

• Cookies (see Cookie Policy)

We collect data through:

• Online forms

• WhatsApp messages

• Email or phone enquiries

• When you submit documents for support

• When you request well-being or guidance sessions

• When you use our website

• When you consent to signposting or referrals

We use your information to provide:

• Well-being and emotional support

• Guidance and signposting

• Completion of forms (PIP, Blue Badge, benefits, council forms)

• Supporting letters and documentation

• Appointment management and follow-up

• Responses to enquiries

• Safeguarding and legal compliance

• Service improvement

We do not use your data for marketing unless you give explicit consent.

Under UK GDPR, we process personal data using:

• Consent (Article 6(1)(a))

• Contract (Article 6(1)(b))

• Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c))

• Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f))

For special category data (health, wellbeing, safeguarding), we use:

• Explicit consent (Article 9(2)(a))

• Provision of social care/support (Article 9(2)(h))

• Employment/social protection support (Article 9(2)(b))

We do not sell or share your data with advertisers.

We may share data only with your explicit consent with:

• Local councils

• DWP

• Health providers

• Referral or support organisations

We may share information without consent only when legally required, including:

• Safeguarding concerns

• Risk of harm

• Criminal investigations

• Court orders

Your information is stored securely using:

• Encrypted devices

• Password-protected systems

• Restricted staff access

• Secure cloud storage

We minimize storage and delete unnecessary documents promptly.

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Retention Periods

• Case documents: 90 days after completion

• Service agreements/invoices: 6 years (legal requirement)

• Ongoing support: stored longer only with consent

All physical and digital files are destroyed securely.

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data

• Request corrections

• Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)

• Restrict processing

• Withdraw consent at any time

• Request data portability

• Object to processing

To make a request: info@helphelpscic.org

Our website may use cookies to:

• Improve user experience

• Analyse traffic

• Maintain security

You may disable cookies through your browser settings.

Our website may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

We may update this policy periodically.
Any changes will be posted on this page.

If you are concerned about how we handle your data, you may contact:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

For privacy-related questions:
📩 Email: info@helphelpscic.org