1. Who We Are

BridgeCare Companions (‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) is a companionship services company based in the United Kingdom. We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Data Controller: BridgeCare Companions | Contact: info@bridgecarecompanions.co.uk

2. What Data We Collect

We collect and process the following personal data:
• Family clients: name, address, phone number, email address, payment details
• Residents: name, date of birth, care home details, health and wellbeing information noted during visits
• Companions: name, address, date of birth, NI number, DBS certificate details, bank details, training records
• All parties: correspondence, signed agreements, visit reports, photos (where consent has been given)

3. How We Use Your Data

We use personal data for the following purposes:
• Delivering and managing the companionship visit service
• Sending visit reports to the nominated family contact
• Processing payments and invoices
• Complying with safeguarding and legal obligations
• Maintaining records as required by law
• Communicating with clients, companions, and care homes

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data on the following legal bases under UK GDPR:
• Contract performance — to deliver the services you have engaged us for
• Legitimate interests — to operate and improve our business
• Legal obligation — to comply with safeguarding, employment, and financial regulations
• Consent — for photos and any optional communications

5. How We Store & Protect Your Data

All personal data is stored securely. Physical documents are kept in locked storage. Digital records are stored on password-protected devices and secure cloud services. We do not store payment card details. We will never sell your data to third parties.

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

• Client and resident records: 7 years after the end of service (legal requirement)
• Companion records: 7 years after the end of engagement
• Photos: deleted within 30 days of being shared, unless written consent for longer retention is given
• Financial records: 6 years (HMRC requirement)

7. Sharing Your Data

We will never sell or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share data with: our companions (as necessary to deliver the service), care homes (as necessary), and statutory bodies such as local authority safeguarding teams or the police where we are legally required to do so.

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Object to or restrict processing of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the legal basis)
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: info@bridgecarecompanions.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.