1. Introduction

EMPOWER Dementia Network+ is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information in line with data protection regulations such as the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We use WordPress with the Divi theme by Elegant Themes, along with plugins for cookie compliance, forms, and analytics to help us maintain accessibility, functionality, and security on our site.

2. Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

  • Name and contact information (if submitted via forms)

  • IP address, browser type, and version

  • Device type, operating system, and location (approximate)

  • Pages visited, time on site, and referral source

  • Cookie consent status and preferences

This data is collected through:

  • WPForms

  • Cookie Notice & Compliance plugin (e.g. Complianz)

  • Google Analytics or other analytics tools

  • Embedded content or third-party plugins

3. Cookies & Consent Management

We use a Cookie Compliance plugin to manage cookie consent and compliance with GDPR and CCPA. When you visit our website, you are presented with a banner allowing you to:

  • Accept or refuse non-essential cookies

  • Review and change your consent preferences at any time

  • View our full cookie policy via a privacy link

Cookie Categories:

  • Essential cookies: Needed for website functionality

  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand usage patterns

  • Marketing cookies: Enable tracking and embedded third-party services (if used)

You may withdraw or change consent at any time via the cookie banner or by clearing your browser cookies.

4. Embedded Content

Pages on this site may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, Google Maps, social media feeds). These behave in the same way as if the visitor had visited the external website directly and may:

  • Collect personal data

  • Use cookies

  • Track interactions with the embedded content

Please refer to the respective websites’ privacy policies for more information.

5. How We Use Your Data

We use the information collected to:

  • Maintain and improve website performance

  • Communicate with you if you have submitted a form

  • Provide user support and handle queries

  • Ensure security and prevent spam or misuse

We will never sell your personal data and only share it with trusted third parties when necessary for operational purposes (e.g., email services, analytics, or hosting providers).

6. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: For cookies and newsletter sign-ups

  • Legitimate interest: For site analytics and improvements

  • Legal obligation: For regulatory compliance

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or to comply with legal obligations.

  • Contact form entries: up to 12 months

  • Cookie consent records: 6 to 12 months

  • Analytics data: anonymised and retained up to 26 months

8. Your Rights

Under GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Rectify inaccurate data

  • Request erasure (the “right to be forgotten”)

  • Restrict or object to processing

  • Withdraw consent at any time

  • Lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

9. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your information, including:

  • HTTPS encryption

  • Server-level firewalls and access controls

  • Secure plugins and routine updates

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact:

Email: contact@empowerdementia.co.uk

11. Plugin & Platform Disclosures

  • WordPress: Our CMS platform

  • Divi (by Elegant Themes): Front-end theme and visual builder

  • Complianz / Cookie Notice & Compliance plugin: Used to manage cookie banners and store consent logs

  • UpdraftPlus: Backup plugin

  • SG Cache / WPForms: Performance and form functionality

  • Cookie Consent Settings: You can choose to accept cookies via button click, scroll, or continued use. Preferences are stored for 1 month.

12. Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. Updates will be posted on this page with an effective date.