WCCM in the UK – Privacy Statement

What is a Privacy Statement?

A privacy statement explains what information WCCM in the UK holds about you, how we protect it for you, and how you can have your information changed or removed from our files if you so wish.

What information do we hold about you and why?

The information we hold about you will have been given by you at some date in the past, when you completed a request for information form at an event, for example or, more latterly, if you requested information through the website.  The specific information will include your name and may include any or all of the following: title, address, email address, phone number, donation record, payment details and gift aid status. None of this information is public.   If you are a group leader we will also include details of where the group is held.  The name of the group leader is not made public, although the location of the group is, but only if it is in a public space. Group contact information on the website will always be that of the Regional Coordinator.

The paper newsletter, replicated on the website, has contact details for key roles within the UK – for example Regional Coordinators and Special Interest Coordinators.  In this way the community offer immediate points of contact for an enquirer.  These details are included with the consent of each volunteer included, which can be withdrawn at any time.   

If you are a member of a school, through a professional relationship, eg head teacher of a school, and you have provided us with contact details, we may share these with the International arm of WCCM who may offer you information and products specifically related to meditation with children.

Who do we share your personal data with?

We share name and address information with our suppliers who print and mail our letters, including emails, and newsletters.  We require all third party processors to respect the security of your personal information and to treat it in accordance with the law.  We will also share information where we are legally required to do so.

How long do we keep your information?

We keep information for as long as we need to provide you with the information you have requested.  You can opt out at any time and we will delete your records.

What are our responsibilities and what are your rights?

We always take exceptional care with the information we hold about our supporters.  When we contact you by email, we do this with your consent (for example to notify you that the next copy of the newsletter is available).  When we write to you by post, it is in our legitimate interest to share with you the work we have been doing or to ask for financial support for our work.    You have every right to ask us not to use your personal information for fundraising purposes.  If you wish to do this, please email UK@wccm.org or phone 020 8095 4442.

You also have the right to see copies of information held about you.  For details of how to do this, please write to The Chair of the Trustees, WCCM in the UK, PO Box 80029, London, EC1P 1RE or email admin@wccm.org.  You can also contact the Chair of the Trustees if you are unhappy about the way we are managing your personal information.  If you are still unhappy you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the independent regulator, which exists to protect people’s information rights.