The Advocacy People take the privacy of the people we work with, supporters, staff and volunteers very seriously.

What information does ASIST Collect?

We ask for personal information from you when you enquire about our activities, make a referral for yourself or another person, send or receive an e-mail, donate to us, ask a question or otherwise provide us with personal information.

We may also receive information about you from other people, such as a social worker who wants to make a referral for you or a relative who asks for information to be sent to you.

It is important that you agree to your information being held by us.

We will usually ask for your name, address, phone number, email address and date of birth and find out why you are contacting us.

We may also ask for information about any protected characteristics.

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone on the basis of:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

These are called protected characteristics.

What does ASIST need this information for?

We need this information so that we can process your enquiry, referral or job application and make contact with you.

We collect information about protected characteristics so that we can check everyone can access our services. 

Who sees this information?

Your personal information is only seen by those who need it to do their jobs. This is done through our secure database. We will not share information about you outside ASIST, unless you tell us we can. 

The only time we would tell someone else is if you tell us something which makes us think you or someone else may be:

1. at risk of serious harm or abuse
2. committing a serious criminal offence

   or if a court says we have to

We will always try to tell you if we are going to do this.

The people who fund our services also like to know what services are being provided and to whom so that they can make sure we are doing our jobs properly. The information we share with them is completely anonymous, which means there is nothing which can identify you.

Where do ASIST keep the information they have about me?

Information is stored in an online secure database and other servers protected by encryption and password security. Printed items such as letters are scanned and uploaded to the database. Unless otherwise requested, the original document will be securely destroyed.

What happens to the information I write in a Webchat session?

When you start a Webchat, the information will initially be stored within our website host, Wix.com.  It will be stored in line with UK data protection requirements, but may not be within the UK or EEA.

Within 5 working days of the Webchat, the information will be transferred into ASIST’s secure database and the Webchat will be deleted.

ASIST will

• Keep your information up to date, when necessary.
• Only keep your information for as long as we need it, after which it will be destroyed.
• Protect your information from unauthorised or accidental disclosure.
• Provide you with a copy of your personal information on request.
• Correct inaccurate or misleading data as soon as possible.

Our full Privacy Policy can be requested by contacting us on the details below, and applies to all paper and electronic records.

For further information and requests, contact:

Data Protection Officer,
ASIST,
Winton House,
Stoke Road,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire,
ST4 2RW

Tel: 01782 845584

[email protected]