Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy explains how St James the Less and St Helen Catholic Church collects, uses and protects your personal data, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who We Are
St James the Less and St Helen is a Catholic parish within the Diocese of Brentwood. The Parish Priest, together with the Parish Office and the Diocesan Curia, is responsible for how personal data is used and protected. The parish can be contacted via colchester@brcdt.org.
What Data We Collect
We may collect and store the following types of personal data:
- Names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses
- Dates of birth
- Sacramental records (e.g. baptisms, confirmations, marriages)
- Information provided for pastoral care or spiritual guidance
- Records of donations and Gift Aid declarations
- Attendance at services, events or parish groups
- Photographs or videos taken during parish activities (with appropriate consent)
Why We Collect Your Data
We collect your data in order to:
- Provide spiritual, sacramental and pastoral care
- Administer parish records and communicate with parishioners
- Manage volunteers, rotas and ministries
- Organise parish events and activities
- Fulfil legal and safeguarding responsibilities
- Process donations and claim Gift Aid
- Maintain accurate sacramental and parish registers
Lawful Basis for Processing
We process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:
- Your explicit consent
- Compliance with a legal obligation
- Carrying out our legitimate interests as a religious organisation
- Performing tasks carried out in the public interest
- Protection of vital interests in safeguarding contexts
How We Store Your Data
Personal data is stored securely, whether in paper form or electronically. Access is limited to those who need it for parish duties, and data is retained only as long as necessary for its purpose, or as required by Canon Law and civil legislation.
Sharing Your Data
We do not share your personal data with third parties without your consent, unless required by law or for safeguarding purposes. Data may be shared with the Diocese of Brentwood or relevant Church authorities where appropriate.
Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal or canonical obligations)
- Object to or request restriction of processing
- Withdraw your consent at any time (where consent is the basis for processing)
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Contact Us
If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights under data protection law, please contact the Parish Office:
St James the Less and St Helen Catholic Church
51 Priory St, Colchester CO1 2QB
colchester@brcdt.org