This privacy policy explains how I Need Help collects, uses and protects your personal information when you visit this site. We take your privacy seriously and handle all data in line with UK law.
The short version
I Need Help is an information portal about emotional support and helplines in the UK. We do not sell goods or services. The data we collect is limited to what your browser shares when you visit any website, and what you choose to send us if you write. We never sell your information or share it with advertisers.
Data you hand over vs data we observe
You hand over personal information when you contact us by email. That includes your email address and anything you write in the message. We observe technical information automatically when you visit: your IP address, browser type, device type, which pages you view and when. This happens through standard web server logs and, where consent is given, analytics scripts.
We do not track you across other websites. We do not collect sensitive categories of personal data such as health records, religious beliefs or political opinions. If you include such details in an email to us, we treat them confidentially and delete them once your query is resolved.
Processors and transfers
Your data may be processed by third-party services we use to run this site — hosting providers, email services and analytics platforms. We choose processors that comply with UK GDPR and have appropriate safeguards in place. Some of these services may store data outside the United Kingdom. Where that happens, we ensure adequate protection through standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms recognised under UK data protection law.
We never pass your personal information to marketing companies, data brokers or social media platforms. No third party receives your contact details from us without your knowledge.
Exercising your rights
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to access the personal data we hold about you, to request correction of inaccurate information, to ask us to delete your data, to object to processing and to request portability of data you provided. You also have the right to withdraw consent where processing relies on it, and to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority.
The supervisory authority for the UK is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), reachable at ico.org.uk. To exercise any of these rights, write to us at the address given on our contact page. We will respond within one month.
Retention
We keep web server logs for up to 90 days, after which they are deleted automatically. Email correspondence is retained for as long as necessary to answer your question or resolve your query, then deleted within one year unless you ask us to remove it sooner. Analytics data is aggregated and anonymised; individual visits cannot be traced back to you after 14 months.
Minors
This site is aimed at adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has sent us personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. When we do, the revised version will be posted on this page. Continued use of the site after changes are published means you accept the updated policy.
Disclaimer: I Need Help is an information site. We do not sell any goods or services. This policy describes how we handle information collected through this website only.