Privacy Policy

This privacy policy explains how persistent-guide collects, uses, and safeguards your personal information when you use our services or visit our website. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly.

Last Updated: 9 April 2026

Who We Are

persistent-guide is a social enterprise based in Bristol, United Kingdom, specializing in hobby discovery and development services. Our registered office is located at 42 Meadowbrook Lane, Bristol BS3 2QF.

For any questions regarding this privacy policy or our data practices, you can contact us at [email protected].

Information We Collect

We collect various types of information depending on how you interact with our services:

Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us for consultations or book services, we collect details such as your name, email address, and any information you choose to share about your interests, schedule, budget constraints, and hobby preferences. During consultations, we may also collect information about your lifestyle, past experiences with hobbies, and personal goals to help us provide appropriate recommendations.

Workshop and Event Information

When you attend our workshops or community events, we maintain records of your participation, including the activities you've tried and your progress notes. This helps us provide continuity of support and relevant follow-up recommendations.

Payment Information

We collect billing information necessary to process service payments. Payment card details are processed securely through our payment provider and are not stored on our systems.

Website Usage Data

Our website automatically collects certain technical information including your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This data helps us understand how visitors use our website and identify areas for improvement.

Communication Records

We maintain records of email correspondence, consultation notes, and other communications to provide continuity of service and reference for future interactions.

How We Use Your Information

The personal information we collect serves specific purposes related to delivering and improving our services:

We use your contact information and preferences to provide personalized hobby recommendations, coordinate consultations and workshops, and maintain ongoing communication about your progress. Your participation history allows us to offer relevant suggestions and track what works for different individuals.

Aggregated data from all our members helps us understand patterns in hobby retention, identify common obstacles, and refine our matching methodology. This research informs how we work with future clients, though individual data is never shared publicly.

We use email addresses to send service confirmations, workshop schedules, and occasional updates about new offerings that might interest you based on your stated preferences. You can opt out of promotional communications at any time while still receiving essential service-related messages.

Website usage data helps us identify technical issues, understand which content is most valuable to visitors, and improve the overall user experience.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on several legal grounds depending on the context:

When you book a consultation or workshop, we process your information to fulfill our contractual obligations to deliver the service you've purchased. For ongoing communication and follow-up support, we rely on your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.

We have legitimate interests in maintaining records of our work, understanding service effectiveness, and improving our offerings. These interests are balanced against your privacy rights, and we ensure data is used proportionately.

In certain cases, we may have legal obligations to retain records, such as financial information for tax purposes.

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We share data only in specific circumstances necessary for service delivery:

Workshop instructors receive basic attendance information to prepare materials and manage class sizes. They are contractually obligated to handle this information confidentially.

If you request introductions to hobby communities or other members with similar interests, we facilitate those connections with your explicit permission. We never share contact details without consent.

We use trusted service providers for payment processing, email communications, and website hosting. These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

In rare situations, we may be legally required to disclose information to authorities, such as in response to court orders or to prevent harm.

Data Retention

We retain different types of information for varying periods based on purpose and legal requirements:

Active client records, including consultation notes and participation history, are maintained for as long as you engage with our services plus three years afterward. This allows us to provide continuity if you return after a break.

Financial records are kept for seven years to comply with tax regulations. General enquiry correspondence is typically deleted after two years unless it relates to ongoing service.

Website analytics data is retained in aggregated form indefinitely for research purposes, but individual IP addresses and identifiable browsing data are deleted after two years.

You can request early deletion of your information at any time, subject to any legal obligations we have to retain certain records.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have several rights regarding your personal information:

You can request access to all personal data we hold about you. We will provide this information in a clear, accessible format within one month of your request.

If any information we hold is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it. We want our records to be accurate and will promptly make necessary changes.

In certain circumstances, you can request deletion of your personal data. We will comply unless we have legitimate grounds to retain it, such as legal requirements or ongoing service obligations.

You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or request that we restrict processing in specific situations, such as while we verify the accuracy of information you've disputed.

Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time. This won't affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before withdrawal.

You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used format and to transfer it to another service provider where technically feasible.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one month and will not charge a fee unless your request is clearly unfounded or excessive.

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

Our systems use encryption for data transmission and storage. Access to personal data is restricted to staff members who need it to perform their roles, and all team members receive training on data protection responsibilities.

Physical records are stored securely in locked cabinets with access limited to authorized personnel. Digital backups are encrypted and stored in secure, access-controlled environments.

We regularly review our security practices and update them as needed to address emerging threats. While we take all reasonable precautions, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality and understand usage patterns. Essential cookies enable core website features and are necessary for the site to function properly.

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, which pages are most useful, and where improvements are needed. These cookies collect information in aggregate form and do not identify individual users.

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie preference tool. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

For more detailed information about our cookie usage, please refer to our separate Cookies Policy.

International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process data within the United Kingdom. However, some service providers we use may process data outside the UK or European Economic Area.

When data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses or verification that the recipient country has adequate data protection laws.

Children's Privacy

Our services are available to individuals of all ages, including teenagers exploring hobby options. When working with individuals under 16, we require parental involvement in consultations and obtain parental consent for data processing.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without explicit parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service offerings. When significant changes occur, we will notify active clients by email and update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Questions and Complaints

If you have questions about this privacy policy or concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us at [email protected]. We take privacy concerns seriously and will investigate any issues you raise.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection authority. You can contact them at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113. However, we appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns directly before you approach the ICO.