Last updated: 27 August 2026

Safeguard Foundation CIO respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and the rights you have under UK data-protection law.

Who we are

Safeguard Foundation CIO is a registered charity providing access to personal safety technology and support for people who may otherwise be unable to afford it.

For data-protection purposes, Safeguard Foundation CIO is the data controller responsible for your personal information.

You can contact us at:

Safeguard Foundation CIO
Building 41
Newport Road
Northwood
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 8BX

Email: info@safeguardfoundation.co.uk
Website: safeguardfoundation.co.uk

Information we may collect

The personal information we collect will depend on how you contact or interact with us. It may include:

• Your name, address, telephone number and email address
• Information submitted through our website or contact form
• Details provided when applying for assistance from the Foundation
• Information provided by somebody referring you to the Foundation
• Information about your circumstances, support needs and eligibility
• Relevant health, disability or accessibility information
• Emergency contact or representative details
• Information about donations, fundraising or sponsorship
• Information provided when volunteering or working with us
• Records of correspondence, enquiries, complaints and feedback
• Technical information about how you use our website, such as your IP address, browser type and cookie preferences

We will only collect information that is relevant and reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it is required.

Information about health and support needs

In some circumstances, we may need to collect information about a person’s health, disability, mobility or support needs. This is known as special category data and receives additional protection under data-protection law.

We will only collect and use this information where it is necessary to assess eligibility, provide appropriate support, protect somebody’s vital interests or fulfil our charitable purposes. Where required, we will ask for explicit consent.

How we collect information

We may collect personal information:

• Directly from you
• Through our website or contact form
• When you apply for support or make an enquiry
• When you donate, fundraise or volunteer
• From a family member, carer, advocate or authorised representative
• From a health, care, community or referral organisation
• From organisations funding or supporting our charitable work
• When you attend one of our events or community sessions

Where information is provided by another person or organisation, we will take reasonable steps to ensure you are told how it will be used.

How we use your information

We may use personal information to:

• Respond to enquiries and requests for information
• Assess applications and determine eligibility for support
• Arrange the provision, installation or ongoing support of suitable technology
• Communicate with beneficiaries, carers, representatives and referral organisations
• Manage donations, grants, sponsorship and fundraising
• Administer Gift Aid, where applicable
• Recruit and support trustees, staff and volunteers
• Organise events, outreach sessions and community activities
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of our charitable work
• Handle feedback, concerns or complaints
• Keep appropriate financial, operational and safeguarding records
• Maintain the security and functionality of our website
• Meet our legal, regulatory and charitable obligations

Our lawful bases

UK data-protection law requires us to have a lawful reason for collecting and using personal information. Depending on the circumstances, we may rely on:

• Consent: where you have freely agreed to a particular use of your information
• Contract: where information is needed to provide an agreed service or take steps at your request
• Legal obligation: where we must process information to comply with the law
• Vital interests: where processing is necessary to protect someone’s life
• Legitimate interests: where it is reasonably necessary for the effective operation of the Foundation and does not override your rights
• Substantial public interest: where permitted by law in connection with safeguarding, equality or the provision of confidential support
• The provision of health or social care: where this applies to the support being provided

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

Sharing your information

We will not sell or rent your personal information.

We may share relevant information with trusted organisations or service providers where this is necessary to assess an application, provide support, operate the Foundation or comply with the law. These may include:

• Technology, monitoring, installation and support providers
• Referral organisations and community partners
• Health, care or emergency services
• Grant funders or sponsors, normally using anonymised information
• Payment, banking, accounting and Gift Aid providers
• Website, email, database and IT service providers
• Professional advisers, auditors and insurers
• Regulators, public authorities or law-enforcement agencies

We will only share the information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose. Where appropriate, we will put agreements in place requiring organisations to protect your information.

We may disclose information without consent where required by law or where necessary to protect somebody from serious harm.

Funders and impact reporting

Funders and sponsors may require information showing how their funding has been used and the difference it has made.

Wherever possible, we will provide anonymised or statistical information that does not identify individual beneficiaries. We will not provide identifiable health or personal information to a funder unless there is an appropriate lawful basis and you have been properly informed.

Marketing and fundraising communications

We may send you news, fundraising information or updates where you have asked to receive them or where we are otherwise permitted by law.

You can unsubscribe at any time by using the link in an email or by contacting info@safeguardfoundation.co.uk.

We will continue to send essential administrative or service-related communications where necessary.

How long we keep information

We will keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet any legal, financial, safeguarding or regulatory requirements.

Retention periods will vary according to the type of information. When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted, destroyed or anonymised.

Keeping your information secure

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.

Access to personal information is limited to trustees, staff, volunteers and service providers who require it for an authorised purpose.

Although we take appropriate precautions, no website, email service or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

International transfers

Some technology or service providers may store or process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where this happens, we will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate legal safeguards are in place and that your information receives a level of protection consistent with UK data-protection law.

Children’s information

Where we provide support involving a child or young person, we may collect information from their parent, guardian, carer or authorised professional.

We will take particular care when processing children’s information and will only collect and use what is necessary to provide support, protect the child’s interests and meet our legal and safeguarding responsibilities.

Your data-protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Ask us to delete your information
• Ask us to restrict how your information is used
• Object to certain uses of your information
• Ask us to transfer information you provided to another organisation
• Withdraw your consent at any time
• Raise a concern about how your information is being used

These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal exemptions.

To exercise any of these rights, email info@safeguardfoundation.co.uk. We may need to confirm your identity before responding.

Cookies and website information

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to operate correctly, remember preferences, understand how visitors use the website and improve its performance.

Further information about the cookies we use and how you can manage them is available in our Cookie Policy.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to websites operated by other organisations. Safeguard Foundation CIO is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. You should read the privacy notice of any external website you visit.

Complaints

If you have a concern about how we use your personal information, please contact us first so that we can try to resolve it.

Email: info@safeguardfoundation.co.uk

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office:

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

Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice when our activities, services or legal responsibilities change. The latest version will always be published on safeguardfoundation.co.uk, together with the date it was last updated.