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Privacy policy

Introduction  

Simon Community is committed to ethical storytelling. We gather real-life experiences to raise awareness and improve support for people facing homelessness. This policy ensures stories are collected with dignity, respect, and full consent.  

Our Commitment  

  • Respect and Dignity: Stories are never exaggerated or misrepresented. Participants have control and consent over how their stories are shared.  
  • Ownership: Participants retain the right to their stories and grant Simon Community permission to use the story for the agreed purposes. At no point does Simon Community claim ownership or exclusive rights.  
  • Voluntary Participation: No one is pressured to take part. Participants can change their minds at any time.  
  • Informed Consent: Before sharing, participants receive clear information about how their information will be used, and sign a consent form when comfortable. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Simon Community will act promptly to remove content from channels under its direct control; however, content already shared online, published by media organisations, or redistributed by third parties may not be fully retrievable.  
  • Privacy Options: Participants can stay anonymous or use a pseudonym if they prefer.  
  • Fair Compensation: Each participant receives £20 to thank them for their time and expertise following each storytelling session. This is simply for their time and does not give Simon Community ownership of their story.  
  • Secure Handling: All materials are stored safely, following data protection laws. Only authorised staff have access. Information is handled in accordance with Simon Community’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice 

  

  

Storytelling Process  

  • Our aim is to build trust, confidence, and meaningful relationships through the storytelling process.  
  • There is no expectation or pressure to participate. Choosing not to share your story will never affect the support someone receives, or the relationships that have been built with Simon Community staff.  
  • After an initial meet and greet, a member of the Simon Community Growth & Engagement team will sit down with the participant in an agreed space that they feel comfortable in, with their key worker present if they prefer.  
  • The person gathering the story will go through the consent form thoroughly with the participant, ensuring they fully understand it and have the opportunity to ask any questions.  
  • Where there are specific concerns about a participant’s ability to provide informed consent, staff will seek appropriate advice and ensure suitable safeguards are in place before proceeding. 
  • We will use a trauma-informed approach when gathering stories, being mindful of emotional triggers and providing space to pause, stop, or take breaks as needed. Participants are never asked to relive painful memories unless they choose to.  
  • Before publishing a story, staff will consider any potential risks to the participant’s wellbeing, privacy and personal safety, housing situation, employment opportunities, family relationships, or legal circumstances. This includes considering whether information shared could identify a participant’s location, family members, support arrangements, or personal circumstances. Particular consideration will be given to individuals who have experienced domestic abuse, coercive control, exploitation, violence, stalking, hate crime, or other situations where publication could increase risks to their safety or wellbeing. Where risks are identified, additional safeguards may be used, including anonymity, the use of a pseudonym, removal or alteration of identifying details, withholding specific information, or deciding not to publish some or all of the story. 
  • Participants can choose how they wish to share their story. This may include an audio-recorded conversation, completing a written Q&A, writing their story independently, or using another approach agreed with the Communications Team.  
  • Where photographs or video are taken, participants will be given the opportunity to discuss how they wish to be represented. Wherever practical, they will be offered the opportunity to review selected images before publication. 
  • We encourage participants to review and approve final versions of their stories before publication to ensure they are comfortable with what it says.   
  • We will always be clear about how the content will be used, and will share published links once the story goes live or is picked up by media sources where we can.  
  • Stories may also be shared with media partners or used in public campaigns. This will only happen with prior consent, and participants will be informed of each specific use.  
  • Stories may be published across Simon Community’s communication channels, including the website, newsletters, social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X [formerly Twitter]), printed materials, and presentations. Participants will be informed about these channels during the consent process.  
  • Simon Community will not use participant stories, images, audio recordings or video content to train artificial intelligence systems without obtaining additional explicit consent. 
  • Participants should be made aware that content published online may be copied, downloaded, archived, reshared, or reproduced by third parties beyond Simon Community’s control. 

 

  • If the story has not been published within one year of collection, Simon Community will review the consent provided and may seek renewed confirmation from the participant before publication.  
  • We will use the story, quotes and images for no longer than 5 years after gathering them but participants can withdraw their consent at any time.   
  • After participating, individuals will be offered follow-up support, including check-ins with their key worker or access to additional resources if the experience brings up difficult emotions.  
  • We are committed to making the storytelling process accessible. Translation, interpretation, or alternative formats will be available for anyone who needs it.   
  • If participants are interested in learning more about storytelling, digital content, or campaign planning, we will create opportunities to share skills and further involve them in the process.  

  

If participants feel that they have concerns about how their story has been used, or about how they have been treated during the storytelling process, they are encouraged to raise these with the Simon Community team. Participants can also file a formal complaint by reaching out to feedback@simoncommunity.org. Staff will provide information and support to guide them through this process as required.  

  

Review and Training  

  • This policy is to be reviewed annually to ensure high ethical standards.  

For questions or concerns, please contact Claire Quinn, Communications Business Partner.   Clairequinn@simoncommunity.org / 07824643476 .