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Privacy Policy

1. What is Personal Data?

Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable living individual. It can include names, contact details, identification numbers, location data, or online identifiers. The handling of this data is governed by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Who are we?

The Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance (EFGA) is the Data Controller (Registered Charity Nos. 251549 (England & Wales) and SC037754 (Scotland)).
EFGA’s ICO Registration Number is Z5192422.

Flame Community Church, as part of EFGA, acts as a Data Processor, collecting and managing data locally in accordance with EFGA policy and GDPR regulations.

3. How Do We Process Your Personal Data?

We process personal data responsibly by:

  • Keeping it accurate and up to date.
  • Storing and disposing of it securely.
  • Not collecting more data than necessary.
  • Protecting it from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.
  • Ensuring appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place.

4. What Data Do We Collect and How Is It Used?

We may collect:

  • Name, address, email, phone number, date of birth.
  • Gender and relevant demographic data.
  • Volunteering and service-related information.
  • Family information (when volunteered).
  • Gift Aid details (if applicable).

We use this data to:

  • Maintain membership and contact records.
  • Support pastoral care and discipleship.
  • Communicate events, activities, and services.
  • Administer employment and volunteering.
  • Manage Gift Aid and financial giving records.
  • Promote and fundraise for church activities.
  • Provide a functional website and digital communication.
  • Fulfil legal obligations and safeguard children/vulnerable adults.

We do not sell or trade personal information.

5. What Is the Legal Basis for Processing Your Data?

We rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

  • Your explicit consent (e.g. for communications or event participation).
  • Legal obligations (e.g. employment law, Gift Aid requirements).
  • Legitimate interests of the church (e.g. internal communications, volunteer coordination).
  • Vital interests (e.g. emergency contact information).
  • Contractual necessity (e.g. payroll or supplier management).

6. Sharing Your Personal Data

Your personal data is treated as confidential. It may be shared:

  • With authorised church staff and volunteers for church purposes.
  • With HMRC for Gift Aid claims.
  • With third parties only with your explicit consent or when legally required (e.g. safeguarding concerns).

7. How Long Do We Keep Your Personal Data?

We keep data in accordance with our Data Retention Schedule, available upon request or via the church website.

Examples:

  • Membership records: while active + 2 years.
  • Gift Aid records: 6 years after final donation.
  • Safeguarding records: 75 years or as legally advised.
  • Marriage registers: Permanently.

8. Your Rights Under the UK GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Request correction or deletion of your data.
  • Withdraw consent at any time.
  • Request data portability (where applicable).
  • Object to or restrict processing under certain circumstances.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

9. Further Processing

If we need to use your data for a purpose not initially stated, we will inform you and request your consent where appropriate before any new processing begins.

10. Changes to This Privacy Notice

This notice is reviewed annually. Any changes will be published on the church notice board and church website, and may be communicated via email or newsletter.

11. Contact Details

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact:

Senior Leader / Pastor
Flame Community Church
📍 Cardale Street, Blackheath, West Midlands, B65 0LY
📞 0121 559 0204
📧 info@theflamecc.org.uk

You may also contact our overseeing body:
The Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance – www.elim.org.uk

Or contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
📞 0303 123 1113
🔗 https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint
📮 Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

(This Notice was reviewed and updated – 16/06/25)