Privacy Policy

How we handle your data and protect your privacy

Last updated: 6 May 2026

PAWFECT FRIENDS (Cynophobia Family Support) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard any personal information you provide to us.

Who We Are

Pawfect Friends is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) providing cynophobia (fear of dogs) support classes in Margaretting, Essex. Our classes are held at Margaretting Village Hall, Wantz Road, Margaretting, Ingatestone, CM4 0EP.

For any privacy-related queries, you can contact us at:

What Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

  • Registration forms – when you register for our classes we collect: child’s name, preferred name, age, school year, school, hobbies/interests, parent or guardian name, relationship to child, mobile phone number, email address, and how you heard about us
  • Health information – any medical or other conditions you choose to share on the registration form so we can support your child safely during sessions. This information is treated with extra care and stored securely
  • Contact information – your name and email address when you contact us via email or social media
  • Testimonials – first names, locations, and personal stories shared voluntarily by members for use on our website
  • Photographs and videos – photos and videos taken during classes with your consent

We do not collect payment card details. All data relating to children is collected only with parental or guardian consent. Registration forms are completed on paper and stored securely under lock and key.

How We Use Your Data

We use personal data only for the following purposes:

  • To respond to your enquiries about our classes
  • To manage class registration, attendance and communicate with members
  • To understand your child’s needs and provide appropriate support during sessions (including any medical or other conditions disclosed)
  • To display testimonials and success stories on our website (with your explicit consent)
  • To share session photos and videos on our website and social media (with your explicit consent)

We will never sell, share, or pass your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website does not use cookies, tracking pixels, or analytics software. We do not track your browsing activity in any way. No cookie consent banner is required as no cookies are set.

Our website uses external resources (Bootstrap, Font Awesome, and Leaflet mapping) delivered via content delivery networks (CDNs). These services do not set tracking cookies on our site.

Photographs, Videos and Consent

We take photographs and videos during our classes to share on our website and social media (Facebook and Instagram). We ask for your explicit consent on the registration form before taking or publishing any photos or videos. If you do not consent to identifiable photos, we will ask whether anonymised images may be used instead. You may withdraw consent for any photograph or video at any time by contacting us, and we will remove it promptly.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary:

  • Registration forms – paper forms are stored securely for the duration of your involvement with our classes, then destroyed
  • Email enquiries – retained for the duration of your involvement with our classes, then deleted
  • Testimonials – displayed on our website until you ask us to remove them
  • Photographs and videos – displayed until you withdraw consent

Your Rights Under GDPR

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have the right to:

  • Access – request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Rectification – ask us to correct any inaccurate data
  • Erasure – ask us to delete your personal data
  • Withdraw consent – withdraw consent for testimonials or photographs at any time
  • Complaint – lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data has been mishandled

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

Third-Party Links

Our website contains links to external sites including Facebook and Instagram. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites and encourage you to read their own privacy policies.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.