Privacy Notice

Parkstone United Reformed Church

Last Updated: July 2026

Parkstone United Reformed Church is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly.

This Privacy Notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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Who We Are

Parkstone United Reformed Church is part of the United Reformed Church and is responsible for the personal information it holds.

The Church Eldership acts as the Data Controller.

Contact Details

Church Secretary
Parkstone United Reformed Church

Email: [Insert email]

Telephone: [Insert telephone]

Church Address:

Parkstone United Reformed Church
Parkstone Road
Poole
Dorset

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What Information We Collect

Depending on your relationship with the church, we may collect:

• Name
• Postal address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Emergency contact details
• Date of birth (where appropriate)
• Church membership information
• Gift Aid information
• DBS information (where required)
• Attendance records for children's activities
• Photographs or videos taken during church events
• Employment or volunteer information where applicable

We only collect information that is necessary for church activities.

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Why We Collect Your Information

We use your information to:

• Maintain church membership records
• Communicate news, services and events
• Provide pastoral care
• Organise church activities
• Administer Gift Aid
• Maintain financial records
• Recruit and manage volunteers
• Manage employees
• Meet safeguarding responsibilities
• Comply with legal obligations
• Support the wider work of the United Reformed Church

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Our Legal Basis

We process personal information because:

• it is necessary for the legitimate activities of a religious organisation;
• it is necessary to comply with legal obligations;
• it is necessary for employment or volunteer administration;
• you have given your consent where required.

You may withdraw your consent at any time where consent is the legal basis for processing.

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How We Keep Your Information Safe

We take appropriate steps to protect your information by:

• storing records securely
• restricting access to authorised people only
• using password-protected electronic systems
• securely disposing of records when no longer required
• regularly reviewing the information we hold

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Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

Information will only be shared:

• with authorised church officers
• with the Wessex Synod or United Reformed Church where necessary
• with professional advisers where legally required
• with statutory authorities where safeguarding or legal obligations require it
• with third parties where you have given permission

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How Long We Keep Information

Different records are kept for different lengths of time.

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Photography and Video

Photographs and videos may occasionally be taken during church services and events.

These may be used:

• on our website
• in church publications
• on social media
• in promotional material

Where children or vulnerable adults are involved, we will seek appropriate consent in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

If you would prefer not to appear in photographs or videos, please let us know.

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Safeguarding

Parkstone United Reformed Church takes safeguarding seriously.

Information relating to safeguarding concerns is processed in accordance with safeguarding legislation and guidance issued by the United Reformed Church and statutory authorities.

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Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Cookies help us understand how visitors use our website and allow certain website features to function correctly.

You can manage or disable cookies through your web browser settings.

If website analytics are used (such as Google Analytics), no personally identifiable information is collected without your consent where required.

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Contact Forms

If you contact us using a website form or email, we will only use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry.

We do not use your information for marketing unless you have asked to receive updates.

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Email Newsletters

If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list:

• we will only send information you have requested;
• you can unsubscribe at any time;
• your information will never be sold or passed to other organisations for marketing.

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Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• request a copy of the information we hold about you;
• ask us to correct inaccurate information;
• request deletion of information where appropriate;
• restrict how we use your information;
• object to certain types of processing;
• request transfer of your information to another organisation where applicable;
• withdraw consent at any time where consent has been given;
• complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

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Contacting the ICO

If you are unhappy with how we handle your personal information, you can contact:

Information Commissioner's Office

Website: https://ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

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Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time.

The latest version will always be published on our website.