Empowr

Cookie Policy

Effective date: 2026-03-24Last updated: 2026-03-24Version: 1.0

Empowr CIC Hero Programme

Last Updated: March 2026

Understanding Cookies

This policy explains what cookies are, how we use them on the Empowr Heroes website, and how you can control them.

We believe in transparency, so we've written this in plain English. If you have any questions, just email us at hero@empowrcic.org.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit them. They help websites:

Remember your preferences (e.g., language settings)
Understand how you use the site (e.g., which pages you visit)
Keep you logged in to services
Improve your experience by personalising content

Cookies are widely used across the internet and are generally harmless — they cannot access other files on your device or spread viruses.

Types of Cookies:

Session Cookies

Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. Used for essential functions like keeping you logged in.

Persistent Cookies

Remain on your device for a set period (days, months, or years). Used to remember your preferences across visits.

First-Party Cookies

Set by the website you're visiting (in this case, the Empowr Heroes site).

Third-Party Cookies

Set by external services (e.g., analytics tools, payment processors) that we use on our site.

2. Cookies We Currently Use

The Empowr Heroes website currently uses minimal or no cookies for basic functionality.

Essential Cookies (No Consent Required):

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. You cannot opt out of these.

Stripe Payment Processing

When you click "Become a Hero" and go to Stripe's checkout page, Stripe may set cookies to:

Prevent fraud
Process your payment securely
Remember your payment session

Important: These cookies are set by Stripe, not by us. They are covered by Stripe's Cookie Policy.

Analytics Cookies (Not Currently Used):

We do not currently use analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) to track how visitors use our site.

If we add analytics in the future, we will:

Update this policy to explain what we're tracking
Give you the option to accept or decline analytics cookies via a cookie banner
Only use analytics cookies with your consent (as required by UK law)

3. Cookies We May Use in the Future

As we grow the Hero programme, we may add the following types of cookies:

Analytics and Performance Cookies:

Purpose: Understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it.

Examples:

Google Analytics — tracks page views, time on site, bounce rate
Plausible or Fathom — privacy-friendly analytics alternatives

Data Collected:

Pages you visit
How long you spend on each page
Where you came from (e.g., Google search, social media link)
Your approximate location (country/city level, not exact address)

Important: These cookies do not identify you personally. They collect aggregated, anonymous data.

Marketing and Advertising Cookies:

Purpose: Show you relevant ads or track the effectiveness of our campaigns.

Examples:

Facebook Pixel — if we run Facebook/Instagram ads
Google Ads — if we run Google search ads

Data Collected:

Whether you visited our site after clicking an ad
Which pages you viewed
Whether you became a Hero

Note: We do not currently use marketing cookies. If we add them in the future, we will ask for your consent first.

4. How We'll Ask for Your Consent

If we add non-essential cookies (analytics or marketing), you'll see a cookie banner when you first visit the site.

What the Banner Will Say:

We use cookies to improve your experience
This site uses cookies to understand how visitors use our site. You can choose which cookies to accept.
[Accept All] [Reject Non-Essential] [Cookie Settings]

Your Choices:

Accept All — you consent to all cookies (essential + analytics + marketing)
Reject Non-Essential — only essential cookies (Stripe payment processing)
Cookie Settings — choose which types of cookies to allow

Your Consent Applies to:

The Empowr Heroes website only (empowrheroes.netlify.app)
Does not apply to external sites (Stripe, social media, etc.)

You can change your cookie preferences at any time (see Section 6 below).

5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our site may be set by third-party services we use.

Current Third Parties:

Stripe (Payment Processing)

When you click "Become a Hero" and go to Stripe's checkout page, you leave our website and enter Stripe's domain. Stripe may set cookies to:

Process your payment securely
Prevent fraud
Remember your payment details for future subscriptions

For details on Stripe's cookies, see their Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.

Potential Future Third Parties:

If we add analytics or marketing tools, we may use:

Google Analytics — Google's Cookie Policy
Mailchimp or HubSpot — for email tracking (e.g., whether you opened our newsletter)
Social media platforms — if we add social sharing buttons or pixels

We will update this policy and ask for your consent before adding any new third-party cookies.

6. How to Control and Delete Cookies

You have full control over cookies. Here's how to manage them:

Option 1: Use Our Cookie Settings (When Available)

If we add a cookie banner in the future, you can click "Cookie Settings" at any time to change your preferences.

Option 2: Use Your Browser Settings

All modern browsers let you control cookies. Here's how:

Google Chrome:

Click the three dots (top right) → Settings
Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
Choose: Block all cookies / Block third-party cookies / Allow all

Safari:

Preferences → Privacy
Choose: Block all cookies / Prevent cross-site tracking

Firefox:

Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security
Choose: Standard / Strict / Custom tracking protection

Microsoft Edge:

Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Manage and delete cookies

Option 3: Delete Existing Cookies

You can delete cookies already stored on your device:

Go to your browser settings
Find "Clear browsing data" or "Privacy"
Select "Cookies" (and optionally "Cached images")
Choose time range (e.g., "All time")
Click "Clear data"

Note: Deleting cookies will log you out of websites and remove saved preferences.

Option 4: Opt Out of Third-Party Tracking

Google Analytics Opt-Out:

Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

General Ad Tracking:

Visit Your Online Choices to opt out of behavioural advertising from hundreds of companies.

7. What Happens If You Block Cookies?

If You Block Essential Cookies:

Payment processing via Stripe may not work
You may not be able to complete donations
Some website functions may break

If You Block Non-Essential Cookies (Analytics/Marketing):

The website will work perfectly fine
We won't be able to understand how visitors use the site
You won't see personalised ads (if we use them in future)

Our Recommendation: Allow essential cookies (required for payments) and decide for yourself on analytics/marketing cookies based on your privacy preferences.

8. Cookies and Your Privacy

We Do NOT:

❌ Use cookies to identify you personally (without your consent)

❌ Share cookie data with third parties for their marketing purposes

❌ Track you across other websites (no cross-site tracking)

❌ Sell cookie data to anyone

We DO:

✅ Use cookies only for legitimate purposes (payments, analytics, improving the site)

✅ Ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies

✅ Give you full control over your cookie preferences

✅ Respect your privacy and data rights under UK GDPR

For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.

9. Children's Privacy

The Hero programme is intended for adults (18 years and over).

We do not knowingly collect data from children under 18 via cookies or any other means. If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to make a donation on your behalf.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect:

New cookies we're using
Changes in cookie technology
Updates to privacy laws

When We Update:

We'll post the new policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top
For significant changes (e.g., adding new tracking), we'll notify you via email or a website banner
Continued use of our site after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed.