The dull-but-important stuff, all in one place.

Privacy Policy

GFY Shelters (charity number 1163993) is the data controller for personal information collected through this website, in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What we collect

• Contact details you give us through the contact form (name, email, and your message).
• Donation and Gift Aid details, which are collected and processed by our payment provider on our behalf — we don't store your card details.
• Basic technical data (like browser type) needed to keep the site working, and cookie data described below.

Why we use it

To respond to enquiries, process donations and Gift Aid claims, keep safeguarding records where relevant, and meet our legal and regulatory obligations as a registered charity.

Who we share it with

Only our payment provider (to process a donation), HMRC (for Gift Aid claims), and, where safeguarding law requires it, the relevant authorities. We do not sell personal data.

How long we keep it

Only as long as necessary for the purpose collected, or as required by charity and tax law (Gift Aid records, for example, must be kept for at least 6 years).

Your rights

You can ask to see, correct, or delete the personal data we hold about you, or ask us to stop using it, by emailing hello@gfyshelters.com. If you're unhappy with how we've handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Cookie Policy

This site uses only the minimum needed to function — we don't run advertising or tracking cookies. If you connect a payment provider or analytics tool, add their cookie details here and provide a way for visitors to accept or decline non-essential cookies, in line with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Safeguarding Policy (summary)

Because our work brings us into contact with people who may be vulnerable, safeguarding is a standing responsibility of every trustee and volunteer, not a side issue.

• Volunteers in roles with regular contact with vulnerable people undergo a DBS check before starting.
• Any safeguarding concern is reported immediately to our designated safeguarding lead and, where required, to statutory authorities and the Charity Commission.
• Our full safeguarding policy is available on request — email safeguarding@gfyshelters.com.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Complaints Procedure

We'd rather hear about a problem than not.

1. Tell us directly. Email hello@gfyshelters.com with what happened. We'll acknowledge within 5 working days.
2. Review by a trustee. If it isn't resolved, a trustee not involved in the original matter will review it and respond within 20 working days.
3. External escalation. If your complaint concerns fundraising and you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Fundraising Regulator. For wider regulatory concerns about how we're run, you can contact the Charity Commission.

Our Fundraising Promise

We follow the Code of Fundraising Practice set by the Fundraising Regulator. In practice, that means:

• We'll never pressure you to give, and you can say no at any time without it affecting any help you've asked us for.
• You can ask us to stop contacting you, adjust how often we're in touch, or lower the amount we ask for — at any time.
• We're honest about where donations go and won't use misleading images or claims to raise money.
• We protect the personal and financial information you share with us.

Accounts & Annual Return

Financial year ending 31 March 2025 (as filed with the Charity Commission):

Full accounts, our governing document, and the current trustee list are held on the public register and kept current there rather than duplicated on this page:

View filed accounts on the Charity Commission register →