Last Updated: January 2025

The Redeemed Christian Church Of God - Holyghost Zone Sittingbourne (Charity Registration No. 1212276) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal information:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Membership Information: Membership status, attendance records, involvement in ministries
• Financial Information: Donation records, Gift Aid declarations, bank details (for direct debit)
• Communication Data: Records of correspondence, prayer requests, support requests
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information when you visit our website
• Children's Information: With parental consent, information about children participating in our programs

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information through:

• Voluntary submission via contact forms, membership applications, or event registrations
• Direct communication with church staff or volunteers
• Attendance at services and events
• Donations and financial contributions
• Automatic collection through website cookies and analytics

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Church Administration: Managing membership, coordinating services and events, maintaining church records
• Communication: Sending newsletters, event announcements, prayer updates, and important church information
• Pastoral Care: Providing spiritual support, prayer ministry, and counseling services
• Financial Management: Processing donations, claiming Gift Aid, maintaining financial records for charity compliance
• Outreach Programs: Administering poverty relief initiatives and community support services
• Legal Compliance: Meeting our obligations as a registered charity, safeguarding requirements, and legal reporting
• Website Functionality: Improving user experience, analyzing website traffic, and maintaining security

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your data for specific purposes
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests as a church and charity organization
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with charity law and safeguarding requirements
• Vital Interests: Processing is necessary to protect someone's life (e.g., emergency contact information)

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your data with:

• RCCG Head Office: For denominational administration and reporting purposes
• HMRC: For Gift Aid claims on your donations
• Charity Commission: As required for charity compliance and reporting
• Service Providers: Third-party providers who assist with email communications, website hosting, or payment processing (under strict data protection agreements)
• Partner Charities: When collaborating on outreach programs, with your consent
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect safety

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These measures include secure storage systems, password protection, encryption of sensitive data, and limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law:

• Membership Records: Kept while you're an active member and for 6 years after membership ends
• Financial Records: Retained for at least 7 years for charity compliance and Gift Aid purposes
• Safeguarding Records: Retained in accordance with safeguarding policies and legal requirements
• General Correspondence: Deleted after 2 years unless there's a legitimate reason to retain it longer

8. Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)
• Right to Restriction: Request limitation of how we process your data
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

9. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. We use analytics tools to understand how visitors use our website, which helps us improve functionality and content.

10. Children's Privacy

We take the protection of children's personal information very seriously. We only collect information about children with parental/guardian consent and in accordance with safeguarding policies. Parents/guardians have the right to review, request changes to, or delete their child's information at any time.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., Facebook, Google Maps). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

14. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection issues: