Privacy & Cookie Policy

Last updated: 31 October 2026

Your privacy matters to me. This policy explains what personal information I collect, how I use it and how I keep it safe when you visit my website or purchase my Design for Accessibility course.

I've kept things as simple and clear as possible so you know exactly what happens to your information.

1. Who I am

I'm Gemma Helyer, a UK-based Product Designer and accessibility advocate. I provide online training to help designers create more accessible and inclusive digital products.

Website: https://course.gemmahelyer.co.uk/

Business name: Gemma Helyer

Contact email: hi@gemmahelyer.co.uk

I am responsible for how personal information is collected and used through this website.

2. What information I collect

When you visit my website, sign up for emails or purchase my course, I may collect:

  • Personal details: Your name and email address.

  • Purchase information: Details of the course you've purchased, the transaction and payment status.

  • Account information: Information needed to create and manage your course account.

  • Course progress: Information about your progress and completion of course modules.

  • Email preferences: Whether you've agreed to receive marketing emails.

  • Technical information: Information needed for website security, functionality, and cookie preferences.

  • Enquiry information: Any details you choose to share when contacting me.

Payment information is processed securely through the payment services used by my website. I do not receive your full payment card details.

3. How I use your information

I use your information to:

  • Process course purchases.

  • Provide and manage access to course content.

  • Send important emails about your purchase or account.

  • Track course completion and issue certificates.

  • Respond to questions and support requests.

  • Send marketing emails if you've signed up to receive them.

  • Maintain the security and functionality of the website.

  • Meet legal and accounting requirements.

I don't sell your personal information to advertisers or other businesses.

4. Legal basis for processing your information

Under UK data protection law, I need a valid reason to process personal information.

I rely on:

  • Contract: To process purchases, manage course access and provide the training you've paid for.

  • Consent: To send marketing emails where consent is required, and to use any optional cookies that require consent.

  • Legal obligation: To maintain financial and transaction records where required by law.

  • Legitimate interests: To respond to enquiries, improve support and protect the website, where those interests don't override your rights.

Where I rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

5. Third-party services

I use trusted third-party services to help operate my website and provide my course.

Squarespace

Squarespace hosts my website, manages course accounts and supports the purchase process.

Privacy Policy: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy

Kit

I use Kit to manage my email subscribers and send email communications.

If you subscribe to my marketing emails, your name and email address may be stored and processed through Kit.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the link included in those emails.

Privacy Policy: https://kit.com/privacy

Certifier

I use Certifier to issue course completion certificates and credentials.

When you complete the course, relevant information such as your name, email address and course completion details may be shared with Certifier to create and deliver your certificate.

Privacy Policy: https://certifier.io/privacy-policy

Payment providers

Payments are processed securely by the payment providers connected to my Squarespace website.

These providers process the information needed to complete transactions.

6. How long I keep your information

I only keep personal information for as long as it's needed.

  • Course accounts: Account information is retained while you have access to the course, unless deletion is required or requested and can lawfully be carried out.

  • Purchase records: Financial records are kept for the period required by applicable UK tax and accounting laws.

  • Email subscriptions: Marketing information is kept until you unsubscribe or it is no longer needed.

  • Enquiries: Information is retained for as long as needed to respond and handle any related follow-up.

  • Course completion records: These may be kept to support certificate verification and course access.

I securely delete or anonymise personal information when it is no longer required.

7. Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information I hold about you.

  • Ask for incorrect information to be corrected.

  • Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances.

  • Object to or restrict certain uses of your information.

  • Request a copy of your information in a portable format, where applicable.

  • Withdraw consent at any time.

To make a request, please contact me using the email address above.

You can also raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

8. International data transfers

Some of the services I use may process or store information outside the UK.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, I rely on appropriate data protection safeguards provided by those services, as required by applicable law.

Cookie Policy

9. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.

They help websites work properly, remember your preferences and support features such as signing in to your course account.

10. How I use cookies

My website is built using Squarespace, which uses cookies to support website functionality.

Essential cookies

These cookies are needed for the website to work properly.

They help with:

  • Keeping your account signed in.

  • Managing secure website access.

  • Supporting checkout and purchases.

  • Remembering cookie preferences.

  • Protecting the website from security threats.

Strictly necessary cookies don't require consent.

Optional cookies

Depending on the Squarespace features enabled, the website may also use optional cookies to understand website performance and improve the experience.

Where consent is required, these cookies will only be used after you have agreed to them.

I do not currently use Google Analytics on this course website.

11. Managing cookies

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings.

Where optional cookies are used, you can manage your consent through the cookie preferences provided on the website.

Disabling essential cookies may affect certain features, including signing in or accessing course content.

12. Cookies used on this website

Squarespace may use cookies for the following purposes:

CategoryPurposeEssentialWebsite security and functionalityAccountKeeping you signed in to your courseCheckoutSupporting purchases and paymentsPreferencesRemembering your cookie choicesAnalytics, if enabledUnderstanding website performance

The exact cookies used, their providers and expiry periods depend on the services enabled on the website.

[Insert verified cookie names, providers and expiry periods after checking the website.]

13. Updates to this policy

I may update this policy if the website changes, new services are introduced or legal requirements are updated.

Any changes will be published on this page with an updated date.

14. Contact

If you have questions about this policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact me.

Gemma Helyer

Website: https://course.gemmahelyer.co.uk/

Email: hi@gemmahelyer.co.uk