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Privacy policy

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy very seriously. This privacy policy explains what information the National Literacy Trust collects about you, how we use it, the lawful bases we rely on, and the steps we take to ensure it is kept secure.

The information we collect

We collect information about you when you:

  • become a member
  • take part in our programmes or events
  • use our services (including this website)
  • volunteer
  • donate or otherwise support our work
  • complete surveys, evaluations or enter competitions

We also collect website usage information using cookies.

The information we collect may include:

  • your name, address and contact details (email and phone number)
  • place of work and job title
  • records of your interactions with us (e.g. programme participation, donations, event attendance)

We collect this information through:

  • our website
  • direct communications (email, phone, social media)
  • in-person interactions

How we use your information and our lawful bases

We will only use your personal data where the law allows us to. Most commonly, we rely on the following lawful bases under UK GDPR:

Performance of a contract

Where it is necessary to fulfil an agreement with you, including:

  • managing memberships
  • delivering programmes and services
  • processing event registrations
  • administering purchases or donations

Legal obligation

Where we are required to comply with the law, including:

  • maintaining financial records (e.g. Gift Aid for HMRC purposes)
  • responding to regulatory or legal requests

Legitimate interests

Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests as a charity, provided your rights do not override those interests. This includes:

  • managing and improving our services and programmes
  • communicating with you about your involvement with us
  • internal administration and record-keeping
  • analysing and improving website performance

We always balance our interests against your rights before relying on this basis.

Consent

Where you have given clear consent, including:

  • receiving marketing communications (where consent is required)
  • participation in surveys or optional activities
  • certain uses of cookies

You can withdraw your consent at any time.

Marketing communications

We would like to send you information about literacy news, resources, training and ways to support our work.

We will send you marketing communications where:

  • you have given your consent; or
  • you have previously engaged with us (for example, by making a donation, registering for an event or using our services), and we are contacting you about our own similar services, activities or opportunities (this is known as a “soft opt‑in” under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).

Where we rely on soft opt‑in, we will:

  • only contact you about relevant and related services
  • provide a clear opportunity to opt out when your data is collected
  • include an easy unsubscribe option in every communication

You can opt out at any time by:

We do not sell or share marketing data with other organisations.

Sharing your information

We will not share your personal data with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

We may share your information only where:

  • you have given your consent
  • it is necessary to deliver services you have requested (e.g. service providers, event platforms, payment processors)
  • we are required to do so by law

We may share email addresses with Facebook (or similar platforms) to create “lookalike audiences” for advertising. This data is used solely for that purpose, and you can opt out when providing your details.

All third-party providers are required to respect the security of your data and process it lawfully.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour data.

We use cookies to:

  • track and analyse website usage
  • improve user experience

We rely on:

  • consent for non-essential cookies
  • legitimate interests for strictly necessary cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Your data protection rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights including:

  • the right to access your personal data
  • the right to correct inaccurate data
  • the right to request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)
  • the right to restrict or object to processing
  • the right to data portability
  • the right to withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact:
contact@literacytrust.org.uk

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
www.ico.org.uk

Retention of your information

We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including:

  • donation and Gift Aid records: at least 7 years (legal obligation)
  • programme and service records: as needed for delivery and reporting
  • marketing suppression records: to ensure we respect your opt-out preferences

Security of your information

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

Access to your data is restricted to authorised personnel and trusted third-party providers.

International transfers

In some cases, we may transfer your personal data outside the UK or European Economic Area.

Where this happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • UK-approved standard contractual clauses
  • transfers to countries with adequacy decisions

Passwords

If you create an account with us, you are responsible for keeping your password confidential.

Other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites. This privacy policy applies only to our website. You should read the privacy policies of other websites you visit.

Changes to this privacy policy

We keep this policy under regular review and will publish updates on this page.

How to contact us

If you have any questions about this policy or how we use your data, please contact:

National Literacy Trust
68 South Lambeth Road
London SW8 1RL

Email: contact@literacytrust.org.uk
Phone: 020 7587 1842

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