Manchester Grief Coach Customer Privacy Notice

Contact details

• Email: steve@manchestergriefcoach.com

What information we collect, use, and why

We collect and process the following categories of personal information to deliver our services, process transactions, and manage our website:

• Names and contact details: To communicate with you, manage bookings, and deliver coaching services and relevant materials.
• Purchase and payment history: To manage billing, issue receipts, and maintain financial records. (Note: Payment card details are handled directly by our payment processor, Stripe, and are not stored on our servers.)
• Website user and analytics data: Information about your device, IP address, browsing activity, and user journeys collected via cookies and tracking technologies, specifically Google Analytics and the Meta (Facebook) Pixel, to optimize website functionality, assess performance, and measure advertising effectiveness. We also use Ahrefs Web Analytics, a cookieless analytics service that does not store any personal identifiers or track individual visitors across sites.
• Mailing list sign-up: If you tick the "keep me updated" checkbox when booking, or opt in separately if a booking can't be completed, we add your name and email address to our mailing list (via Resend) so we can contact you about future courses and grief support resources. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send.

Cookies and tracking technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and improve your experience. Here's what we use and why:

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the basic functionality of our website (e.g., security, account access, form processing). We do not require consent to set these cookies as they are necessary for the site to work.

Analytics cookies

Google Analytics (GA4): We use Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID G-LT8DY61RGJ) to understand how visitors use our website, track page views, user journeys, and aggregate site performance. Google Analytics is configured as analytics only. We do not build audiences, enable cross-site tracking, or use it for retargeting and remarketing. GA4 data is linked to our Google Ads account for conversion measurement only (see Advertising cookies below). You can read more about Google Analytics and privacy at Google's analytics safety page.

Ahrefs Web Analytics: We also use Ahrefs, a cookieless analytics service, which does not store personal identifiers or track individual visitors across sites. Ahrefs collects aggregate traffic data only.

Advertising cookies

We use Google Ads conversion tracking (linked to our Google Analytics account) to measure whether visitors who click on our Google Search ads go on to book a session. We use this data to understand the effectiveness of our ad campaigns, not to build profiles used for targeting ads elsewhere on the web. No remarketing or retargeting audiences are built from your site visits through Google, and personalized advertising is disabled there.

Meta Pixel: We use the Meta (Facebook) Pixel to measure whether people who click our Facebook and Instagram ads go on to request a free chat, download a guide or book a session, and to show our ads to people who have visited this site. The pixel sends Meta the pages you view and the actions you take, such as submitting a form. We do not send Meta the contents of any form or message, and we do not send your name or email address through the pixel. Meta processes this data under its own privacy policy.

Your consent choices

When you first visit this site, we show you a consent banner. You can choose to accept or reject two categories of non-essential cookies:

• Analytics: If you reject, Google Analytics will not load; Ahrefs (cookieless) continues to run as it does not require consent.
• Advertising: If you reject, Google Ads conversion tracking and the Meta Pixel will not run, and no conversion data will be sent to Google Ads or Meta from your visit.

You can change your consent choices at any time by clicking "Cookie Preferences" in the footer.

Lawful bases and data protection rights

Under UK data protection law, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal information:

• Contract: Processing is necessary to provide our coaching services, complete transactions, or take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract.
• Legitimate interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business operations, including site security, financial auditing, and standard business administration.
• Consent: Where required by law (such as for non-essential cookies, Google Analytics, the Meta Pixel, and email marketing/our mailing list), we rely on your explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time via your browser cookie settings, site preferences, or the unsubscribe link in our emails.
• Legal obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with UK statutory obligations (e.g., tax and accounting records for HMRC).

Your data protection rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights (subject to statutory exemptions):

• Right of access: The right to ask for copies of your personal information.
• Right to rectification: The right to ask us to correct inaccurate information or complete incomplete details.
• Right to erasure: The right to ask us to delete your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to restriction of processing: The right to ask us to limit how we use your information.
• Right to object to processing: The right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• Right to data portability: The right to ask that we transfer information you provided directly to another organization or to you.

Where we get personal information from

• Directly from you: When you contact us, book a coaching session, sign up for communications, or make a purchase.
• Automatically via our website: Via automated tracking tools, cookies, Google Analytics, and Meta Pixel tags when you browse our website.

How long we keep information

• Client & Transaction Records: Retained for up to 6 years following the end of the relevant financial year to comply with UK tax, accounting, and legal requirements.
• Analytics Data: Retained in accordance with standard Google Analytics and Meta data retention schedules.
• Payment Processor Records: Direct payment transaction logs are retained by Stripe in accordance with their own statutory obligations and privacy policy.
• Mailing List: Your name and email address are retained on our mailing list until you unsubscribe or ask us to remove you.

Who we share information with

We do not sell personal information. We share data only with third-party service providers acting on our behalf or where legally required:

• Stripe Inc.: To securely process card transactions. Stripe acts as an independent data controller for certain fraud-detection and regulatory compliance activities and retains records under its own privacy policy.
• Analytics and Advertising Partners (Google and Meta): To monitor website traffic, track user interactions, measure our advertising, and show our ads to people who have visited the Site.
• Ahrefs: A cookieless website analytics provider we use to measure aggregate site traffic and performance, without storing personal identifiers or tracking individual visitors.
• Resend: Our email and mailing list provider, used to store the contact details of people who opt in and to send emails about future courses.
• Legal and Regulatory Authorities: Where required to comply with statutory legal duties, law enforcement, or HMRC reporting.

Sharing information outside the UK

When sharing data with service providers located outside the UK (such as Google, Meta, Stripe, or Resend, based in the United States), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs), standard contractual clauses, or adequacy regulations.

How to complain

If you have concerns about our use of your personal data, please contact us first at steve@manchestergriefcoach.com.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK supervisory authority:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk