Privacy Policy
Last Updated: August 2026
1. Introduction
GL Communities ("GL Communities", "we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share and protect your personal information when you:
- Visit our website;
- Contact us;
- Access our services;
- Complete forms or referrals;
- Attend events or programmes;
- Volunteer with us;
- Make donations;
- Engage with us through social media.
GL Communities is a registered charity (Charity No. 1134656) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Company No. 06742832).
Contact Details
GL Communities
60 Norbury Avenue
Matson
Gloucester
GL4 6AG
Telephone: 01452 505544
Email: info@glcommunities.org.uk
2. Data Controller
For the purposes of UK data protection law, GL Communities is the Data Controller responsible for determining how your personal information is processed.
3. Information We Collect
We may collect and process:
Personal Information
- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Date of birth
- Emergency contact details
Service Information
Where relevant to providing support services, we may collect information concerning:
- Housing circumstances
- Employment status
- Education and training participation
- Benefits and financial circumstances
- Veteran status
- Health and wellbeing information
- Support needs
- Referral information
Website Information
When you visit our website we may collect:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Pages viewed
- Time spent on pages
- Referring websites
- General usage statistics
4. Special Category Data
Some services require us to process information that UK GDPR classifies as "special category data", such as:
- Physical health information
- Mental health information
- Disability information
- Ethnic origin
- Veteran-related support requirements
We only process this information where there is a lawful basis to do so and where additional safeguards apply.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:
- Deliver our services and programmes;
- Assess eligibility for support;
- Respond to enquiries;
- Manage referrals;
- Provide advice and guidance;
- Safeguard vulnerable adults and children;
- Monitor outcomes and service effectiveness;
- Improve our services;
- Meet contractual requirements;
- Comply with legal obligations;
- Administer volunteering activities;
- Process donations;
- Maintain website security and performance.
6. Lawful Bases for Processing
We process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Consent
- Contract
- Legal obligation
- Vital interests
- Public task
- Legitimate interests
Special category information is processed only where an additional legal condition applies under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. [cy.ico.org.uk], [ico.org.uk]
7. Sharing Your Information
We may share information where necessary with:
- Funding organisations
- Local authorities
- NHS services
- Government departments
- Partner charities
- Referral organisations
- Professional advisers
- Auditors and regulators
- IT service providers
Information is only shared where lawful, necessary and proportionate.
We do not sell personal information.
8. Safeguarding
Where we believe there is a risk of harm to an individual, we may share relevant information with safeguarding partners, emergency services, social care teams or other relevant agencies to protect individuals and communities.
9. Website Analytics and Tracking Technologies
To improve our website and understand visitor usage, we use analytics and tracking services.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect information about how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics may collect:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on pages
- Browser information
- Device information
- Approximate location data
- Website interactions
This information helps us improve website performance and user experience.
Further information is available from Google:
https://policies.google.com/privacy
Google Tag Manager
We use Google Tag Manager to manage website tags and analytics tools.
Google Tag Manager does not itself collect personal information but may deploy services that do.
Microsoft Clarity
We use Microsoft Clarity to help us understand how users interact with our website.
Microsoft Clarity may collect information such as:
- Click activity
- Scrolling behaviour
- Device information
- Browser data
- Session interaction information
This data assists us in improving website usability and accessibility.
Further information can be found at:
10. Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies are small text files placed on your device that help websites function effectively and provide information about how visitors use a site.
Cookies may be used to:
- Enable core website functionality
- Improve website performance
- Analyse website traffic
- Remember preferences
- Enhance user experience
Where required by law, we request your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device. We also provide information about the purpose of cookies used on our website. [ico.org.uk], [ico.org.uk]
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings.
11. Third-Party Services
Our website may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites and encourage users to read their privacy policies.
12. International Transfers
Some of our third-party technology providers may process data outside the United Kingdom.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.
13. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Alteration
- Disclosure
- Destruction
Our safeguards include secure systems, access controls, staff training and security monitoring.
14. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected.
Retention periods are determined by:
- Legal obligations
- Funding requirements
- Regulatory requirements
- Safeguarding considerations
- Operational needs
Information that is no longer required will be securely deleted or anonymised.
15. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Be informed about how your data is used;
- Access your personal information;
- Request correction of inaccurate information;
- Request deletion of information in certain circumstances;
- Restrict processing;
- Object to processing;
- Request transfer of your data;
- Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
Requests should be made to:
16. Children's Information
Some of our services support children, young people and families.
Where information relating to children is processed, we take additional care to ensure compliance with data protection legislation and safeguarding requirements.
Parents, guardians and young people may contact us regarding any concerns about personal information processing.
17. Complaints
If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us first:
Email: complaints@glcommunities.org.uk
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner's Office
https://www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
18. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect legal, regulatory or operational changes.
The latest version will always be available on our website and the date of publication will be updated accordingly.
GL Communities
Registered Charity No. 1134656
Company No. 06742832
https://www.glcommunities.org.uk
