How We Protect Your Information

We take data protection seriously and comply fully with all applicable data protection laws. When you use our platform, we handle your personal information with care and respect.

We've designed our registration system to make it simple for you to discover and apply for volunteering opportunities that match your interests and availability.

What Happens When You Apply

When you submit an application for a volunteering opportunity, here's what happens with your information:

• Your details are sent directly to the organization offering the opportunity
• If a volunteer broker (like a Volunteer Centre) is involved, both they and the hosting organization may receive your information
• We keep a copy of your profile so you can easily apply to other opportunities without filling out forms repeatedly
• We'll always provide you with contact information for any organization that receives your application

Your information will never be shared with third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit permission. The only exception is when we're legally required to disclose information.

Information Sharing Between Organizations

Sometimes the organization you apply to may need to forward your details to the actual venue or project host. When this happens, they should provide you with contact details for that organization.

Important: We're not responsible for the privacy practices of other organizations. We encourage you to review their policies separately.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

We ask for optional information about disability and ethnicity to help us and our partner organizations ensure we're serving everyone fairly. By providing this sensitive information, you're consenting to its processing by us and the organizations involved in your application.

This data helps everyone work toward better diversity and inclusion in volunteering.

How We Use Your Information

Beyond matching you with opportunities, we also analyze collective data (not individual profiles) to:

• Demonstrate the positive impact of our platform to supporters
• Understand how people use our service
• Improve and enhance the experience for everyone
• Ensure we're reaching all communities effectively

Your Communication Preferences

You're in control of what messages you receive from us. When you apply for opportunities, you'll hear back from the organizations you've contacted. Any additional communications from us are optional.

You can update your preferences anytime by visiting your profile settings. You can also delete your account completely whenever you choose.

Why We Ask for Your Date of Birth

We know sharing your birth date feels personal. Here's why this information is helpful:

• Age-appropriate opportunities: Many opportunities have age requirements (youth-specific programs, projects for older volunteers, minimum age 16, etc.). Your date of birth helps us show you relevant opportunities.
• Community representation: Partner organizations need to demonstrate they're involving people from all age groups. Having your date of birth in the system means they don't need to ask you again.
• Service improvement: Understanding who uses our platform helps us ensure we're reaching and serving people of all ages.

Note: Age discrimination laws don't currently apply to volunteering opportunities in the same way they apply to employment.

Mobile Application: What We Access

If you use our mobile application (+U), you'll be asked to authorize access to your Facebook account. When you grant this permission, we can access:

• Your basic public information (name, profile picture, gender, networks, user ID, friend list, and anything you've made public)
• Your Facebook status updates and photos
• Content that people share with you and posts in your newsfeed

What the App Can Do

The application has permission to:

• Access your data even when you're not actively using the app
• Post to Facebook on your behalf (status messages, notes, photos, and videos)

Why We Need These Permissions

• Friend connections: We use your friend list to show you which of your friends are also volunteering, creating a more social and engaging experience
• Newsfeed content: We read status updates to fill your newsfeed with volunteering-related stories from your network
• Sharing your impact: We can post about your volunteering activities, achievements, and badges to your timeline
• Photo memories: When you check in at volunteering activities, we can share photos on your wall

Your Rights

You have the right to request a copy of all information we hold about you. We may charge a small administrative fee (not exceeding £10) for this service.

If you have questions, concerns, or want to exercise your rights, please get in touch with us. We're here to help.