Last updated: January 2026

Website Policies – Global Social Innovators  

Privacy Policy  

Quick Summary

Global Social Innovators respects your privacy. We only collect the information we need to provide our services, and we never sell your data. You have full control over your information and can contact us anytime with questions.

Key points:

• We collect contact details, payment info, and case information (for Advice For Life service users)
• We use your data to deliver services, improve our programs, and keep you updated
• Your data is secure, confidential, and only shared when necessary or with your permission
• You can access, correct, or delete your data at any time
• Read the full policy below for complete details

Contents 

1. Who We Are

2. What Data We Collect

3. Why We Collect It

4. How We Use Your Data

5. Privacy for Advice For Life Subscribers 

6. Sharing Your Data

7. Keeping Your Data Safe

8. How Long We Keep Your Data

9. Your Rights 

10. Cookies and Website Usage

11. Social Media 

12. Job Applications and Volunteering

13. Changes to This Policy

14. How to Complain
15. Contact Us

1. Who We Are 

Global Social Innovators is a Community Interest Company working to empower communities facing poverty, inequality, and lack of access to essential services. Since 2012, we’ve supported over 25,000 people through health and social innovation programs.

Our details:

• Company name: Global Social Innovators CIC
• Company number: 07821635 (England and Wales)
• Registered address: 1349, 1353 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AB, United Kingdom
• Contact: hello@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk | +44 (0)300 302 0344

We’re the “data controller” for the personal information we hold about you, which means we decide how and why we process it.

2. What Data We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with us:

Everyone

• Contact details: Name, email, phone number, address
• Communication records: Emails, phone calls, messages you send us
• Payment information: Card details or bank information (for subscriptions or donations)

Advice For Life Subscribers

• Case information: Details you share to help us provide advice (housing situation, welfare benefits, health concerns, immigration status)
• Support history: Record of advice provided and outcomes

Job Applicants and Volunteers

• Application details: CV, cover letter, references
• Qualifications: Relevant certifications or credentials
• DBS checks: If required for the role

Website Visitors

• Usage data: Pages visited, time on site (via analytics cookies)
• Device information: Browser type, IP address

We only collect sensitive personal data (health information, immigration status, ethnicity) when:

It’s required by law

• You specifically provide it to receive appropriate advice, or

• We have your explicit consent, or

• It’s required by law

3. Why We Collect It

We collect your data to:

✓ Deliver our services – Provide personalised advice through Advice For Life
✓ Process payments – Manage subscriptions and donations securely
✓ Keep you informed – Send updates about our work and opportunities to get involved
✓ Improve our programs – Learn what works and what doesn’t through feedback
✓ Meet legal obligations – Comply with charity, data protection, and safeguarding laws
✓ Protect vulnerable people – Fulfill our safeguarding duties

We only collect what we actually need – nothing more.

4. How We Use Your Data

Our Legal Basis

Under UK data protection law, we must have a valid reason to use your personal data. We rely on:

Consent – For marketing emails and processing sensitive information (you can withdraw this anytime)

Contract – To deliver services you’ve signed up for (like Advice For Life subscriptions)

Legal obligation – When required by law (e.g., safeguarding reporting, financial records)

Legitimate interests – To improve our services, manage our organisation efficiently, and keep supporters informed about our work. We always balance this against your privacy rights.

Recognised legitimate interests (new under 2025 Act) – For specific purposes including:

• Responding to requests from public bodies
• Safeguarding and emergency situations
• Crime prevention and detection

How We Process Your Data

• We process your data lawfully, fairly, and transparently. This means:

• We respect your rights

• We’re honest about what we collect and why

• We keep data accurate and up to date

• We protect it with appropriate security measures

• We don’t keep it longer than necessary

5. Privacy for Advice For Life Subscribers 

If you subscribe to Advice For Life, additional protections apply:

Confidentiality

• All case information is stored securely
• Only trained advisors access your data
• We never share your story without permission

When We Might Share Information

We only share your data with other organisations when:

• You give explicit permission (e.g., to contact a solicitor on your behalf)
• There’s a legal requirement (e.g., safeguarding concerns about a child or vulnerable adult)
• It’s necessary to provide advice (e.g., contacting a government agency with your consent)

We’ll always explain who we’re sharing with and why, except in rare cases where law requires immediate action to protect someone from harm.

• You can ask us to stop processing your data at any time
• You can request copies of all advice we’ve provided
• You can correct any inaccuracies in your records

6. Sharing Your Data 

We never sell your data to anyone.

We only share personal information:

With your permission – When you’ve explicitly consented

To deliver services – With trusted partners who help us operate (payment processors, IT providers, email platforms). These partners are contractually bound to protect your data.

When legally required – To comply with legal obligations or court orders

To protect people – If there’s risk of serious harm (safeguarding situations)

With regulators – If requested by the Information Commissioner’s Office or other authorities

All third parties we work with are required to keep your data secure and confidential.

7. Keeping Your Data Safe 

We take security seriously. Our measures include:

Technical protections:

• Encrypted data storage and transmission
• Password protection and multi-factor authentication
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Secure backup systems

Organisational protections:

• Staff training on data protection
• Clear procedures and access controls
• Regular security audits
• Incident response procedures

Physical protections:

• Locked storage for paper records
• Secure office access
• Clear desk policies

If we discover a data breach that might affect you, we’ll notify you and the Information Commissioner’s Office as required by law (within 72 hours for serious breaches).

8. How Long We Keep Your Data 

We only keep personal data as long as necessary. Typical retention periods:

Data Type	How Long	Why
Advice For Life subscription records	7 years after subscription ends	Legal and financial compliance
Donation records	7 years	Legal and financial compliance
Marketing contacts	Until you unsubscribe (or 3 years of inactivity)	To keep you updated
Job applications (unsuccessful)	12 months	In case similar roles arise
Financial records	7 years	Legal requirement
Safeguarding records	As required by safeguarding guidance	Legal requirement

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymise data.

9. Your Rights 

Under UK data protection law, you have these rights:

Right to Access

Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (this is called a “Subject Access Request” or SAR). We’ll respond within one month.

Right to Rectification

Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”)

Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances, such as:

• When we no longer need it
• If you withdraw consent
• If you object and we have no overriding legitimate reason to keep it

Note: We may need to keep some data to meet legal obligations.

Right to Restrict Processing

Ask us to temporarily stop using your data in certain situations.

Right to Object

Object to us processing your data based on legitimate interests, or for direct marketing purposes.

Right to Data Portability

Request your data in a portable format to transfer to another service provider.

Right to Withdraw Consent

If we’re processing your data based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. This won’t affect any processing we’ve already done.

Right to Complain

New requirement under 2025 Act: You have the right to complain about how we handle your data. See section 14 below.

How to Exercise Your Rights

Email: hello@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)300 302 0344
Post: Data Protection, Global Social Innovators, 1349, 1353 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AB

We’ll need to verify your identity before responding to requests. We’ll respond within one month (this may be extended by two months for complex requests – we’ll let you know).

10. Cookies and Website Usage 

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences and understand how you use the site.

Our Cookie Use

We use the following types of cookies:

Essential cookies – Required for the website to function (e.g., shopping cart, login)
Analytics cookies – Help us understand how visitors use our site (Google Analytics)
Functionality cookies – Remember your preferences (language, text sise)

We do not use marketing or advertising cookies.

Your Cookie Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that blocking some cookies may affect website functionality.

Under the Data (Use and Access) Act, we no longer need your consent for low-risk analytics and functionality cookies, but we provide clear information and an easy opt-out.

[Manage Cookie Preferences]

11. Social Media 

We use social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) to:

• Share updates about our work
• Engage with supporters
• Promote campaigns and opportunities

When you interact with our social media:

• The social media platform’s own privacy policy applies to your data
• We may see your public profile information
• We don’t collect data from your social media unless you message us directly

You can manage your social media privacy settings through each platform.

12. Job Applications and Volunteering

When you apply for a job or volunteer role, we collect information to:

• Assess your application
• Verify qualifications and references
• Comply with employment law (e.g., right to work checks)
• Conduct DBS checks if required

Successful applicants: Data becomes part of your personnel file
Unsuccessful applicants: Data deleted after 12 months (unless you ask us to delete it sooner)

If you’d like us to consider you for future opportunities, we can keep your details on file with your permission.

13. Changes to This Policy 

WWe review this privacy policy annually or when there are legal changes.

When we make significant changes:

• We’ll update the “last updated” date at the top
• We’ll notify active subscribers and regular contacts by email
• The new policy will be posted on our website

Previous version: November 2024
Current version: January 2026 (updated for Data (Use and Access) Act 2025)

14. How to Complain

Complain to Us First

New requirement under 2025 Act: We must have an accessible complaints procedure and respond within 30 days.

If you’re unhappy about how we’ve handled your data:

1. Contact us directly:
   • Email: hello@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk
   • Phone: +44 (0)300 302 0344
   • Post: Data Protection Complaint, Global Social Innovators, 1349, 1353 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AB
2. We’ll acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days
3. We’ll investigate and respond within 30 days
4. If complex, we’ll let you know if we need more time

Complain to the Regulator

You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at any time:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Website: http://www.ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

You can complain to the ICO even if you haven’t complained to us first, though we’d appreciate the chance to resolve things directly.

15. Contact Us 

General Enquiries

Email: hello@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)300 302 0344

Data Protection Enquiries

Email: hello@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk (mark “Data Protection Query”)
Post: Data Protection, Global Social Innovators, 1349, 1353 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AB, United Kingdom

Advice For Life Support

Email: advice@globalsocialinnovators.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)300 302 0344

International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process data in the United Kingdom. In limited circumstances, data may be processed outside the UK (for example, by cloud service providers with international servers).

When this happens, we ensure:

• The country has adequate data protection standards, or
• We use Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK government, or
• Other appropriate safeguards are in place

Updated 2025: Under the Data (Use and Access) Act, we use the “not materially lower” protection standard for international transfers.

This privacy policy explains how Global Social Innovators CIC complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, and Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Your Privacy Matters

We’re committed to transparency about how we use your data. If anything in this policy is unclear, or you have questions about your privacy, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for trusting Global Social Innovators with your information.

Legal Disclaimer and Copyright 

Disclaimer 

The information provided on this website is intended as general guidance on the law applicable in the United Kingdom. It should not be regarded as a complete or authoritative statement of the law. Users are responsible for ensuring that the information applies to their specific jurisdiction. If you have a legal problem, we strongly recommend seeking professional legal advice. 

Global Social Innovators does not guarantee that the information on this website is accurate, complete, or up to date. Prices, availability, and information are subject to change without prior notice. 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Global Social Innovators will not be held liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience caused by the use of, or inability to use, the information provided on this site. 

Linked Websites: 

Global Social Innovators is not responsible for the content of any linked websites, and links should not be interpreted as endorsements of those websites or their content. We have no control over the availability or reliability of linked pages. 

Discussion Boards: 

Messages posted on discussion boards do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Social Innovators. We are not responsible for their content or accuracy. We reserve the right to remove users at our sole discretion, particularly those who post defamatory, illegal, abusive, or promotional material. 

General Information Disclaimer: 

The information provided on this site is for general purposes only. While Global Social Innovators strives to keep the content accurate and up to date, we make no representations or warranties, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information, products, services, or related graphics available on this site for any purpose. Any reliance you place on this information is strictly at your own risk. 

In no event shall Global Social Innovators be held liable for any loss or damage, including but not limited to indirect, consequential, or data-related losses, or loss of profits arising from the use of this website. 

External Links Disclaimer: 

This site may include links to external websites that are not under the control of Global Social Innovators. We are not responsible for the nature, content, or availability of these external sites. Inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement or recommendation of their content or viewpoints. 

Website Availability Disclaimer: 

While every effort is made to keep this website running smoothly, Global Social Innovators accepts no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, temporary unavailability due to technical issues beyond our control. 

Copyright 

The content of this site is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, post, distribute, transmit, or modify any part of this site without prior written consent from Global Social Innovators. 

© 2024 Global Social Innovators. All Rights Reserved. 

Registered Office Address: 

Global Social Innovators 

1349, 1353 London Rd 

Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AB 

United Kingdom 

Company Details: 

Registered in England and Wales 

Company Number: 07821635