Privacy Policy
Last updated: 17/08/2026
1. WHO WE ARE
Sweet Stitches by Fay ("we", "us", "our") is operated by Fay Wilson, a sole trader based in Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom. We provide crochet workshops, lessons and related services for children and adults, and sell handmade items and patterns.
For the purposes of UK data protection law (the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018), we are the data controller of the personal information described in this policy.
Contact: sweetstitchesbyfay@gmail.com
2. THE INFORMATION WE COLLECT
When you book a workshop, lesson or session:
• Your name, email address and phone number
• Payment information (processed securely by our payment provider - we never see or store your full card details)
• Booking history and communications about your booking
When you book for a child:
• The child's name and age
• Any allergy, medical or additional-needs information you choose to share so we can keep your child safe and comfortable during sessions
• Emergency contact details
When you contact us or sign up for a free pattern:
• Your name and email address
• The content of your message
• Your marketing preferences, where you give them
Automatically, when you use our website:
• Technical data such as IP address, browser type and pages visited, collected through cookies and similar technologies (see section 8)
3. CHILDREN'S INFORMATION
Bookings for children's sessions are made by a parent or guardian, and all information about a child is provided to us by that adult. We do not knowingly collect information directly from children, and our website's forms and marketing are directed at adults.
We ask parents and guardians to share only the information needed for their child's safety and enjoyment of a session. Please keep this information up to date.
4. ALLERGY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
Where you share allergy, medical or additional-needs information about yourself or your child, this is "special category data" under UK data protection law. We process it only:
• with your explicit consent, which you give by providing it on our booking or enquiry forms; and
• so that we can run sessions safely, including managing refreshments and materials.
You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting us, though this may affect our ability to safely provide a place at a session.
5. HOW AND WHY WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
TAKING, MANAGING AND DELIVERING BOOKINGS
Legal basis: Performance of a contract
TAKING PAYMENT AND KEEPING FINANCIAL RECORDS
Legal basis: Performance of a contract; legal obligation (HMRC record-keeping)
KEEPING PARTICIPANTS SAFE, INCLUDING ALLERGY AWARENESS
Legal basis: Explicit consent (special category data); legitimate interests (safe service delivery)
RESPONDING TO ENQUIRIES
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (responding to people who contact us)
SENDING YOUR FREE PATTERN AND, WHERE YOU OPT IN, OCCASIONAL NEWS AND OFFERS
Legal basis: Consent - you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email or by contacting us
SENDING SERVICE MESSAGES ABOUT YOUR BOOKING (CONFIRMATIONS, REMINDERS, CHANGES)
Legal basis: Performance of a contract
SENDING A POST-SESSION THANK-YOU, WHICH MAY INCLUDE A DISCOUNT CODE
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (following up a purchased session); you can opt out at any time
IMPROVING OUR WEBSITE
Legal basis: Legitimate interests; consent for non-essential cookies
We do not sell your information, and we do not use it for automated decision-making or profiling.
6. WHO WE SHARE INFORMATION WITH
We share personal information only with service providers who help us run the business:
• Wix.com Ltd - our website, booking system, forms and customer database are hosted on the Wix platform
• Payment processors (via Wix Payments) - to take payment securely
• Email services - to send booking confirmations, pattern downloads and, where you have opted in, marketing
These providers act under contracts that require them to protect your information. Some (including Wix) may process data outside the UK; where they do, transfers are protected by safeguards recognised under UK law, such as adequacy decisions or International Data Transfer Agreements / standard contractual clauses.
We may also disclose information where required by law.
7. HOW LONG WE KEEP INFORMATION
• Booking and payment records: 6 years after the end of the tax year they relate to, to meet HMRC requirements
• Allergy and health information: deleted within 3 months after the last session it relates to
• Enquiries that do not lead to a booking: 12 months
• Marketing list: until you unsubscribe or 24 months of inactivity
8. COOKIES
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. Some are essential for the site and booking system to work; others (such as analytics) are optional and used only with your consent, which you can give or withdraw through the cookie banner on the site.
9. YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
• access a copy of your personal information
• correct inaccurate information
• ask us to delete information
• restrict or object to our use of information
• receive your information in a portable format
• withdraw consent at any time, where consent is our legal basis
To exercise any right, email sweetstitchesbyfay@gmail.com. We will respond within one month.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113), though we would welcome the chance to resolve any concern first.
10. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page, with the date above.
