Cookie Policy

This site uses technology which collects and retrieves information from your computer, smart phone or tablet when you visit the website. They can be cookies or some other similar technology like pixels, tags or web beacons. As this technology is widely known as cookies, we’ll refer to them all as that.

Some cookies are necessary to make our website work, but there may be some which require your consent before we collect information.

This policy was last updated 5 September 2023.

What Is A Cookie And What Information Do They Collect?

A cookie is a small piece of data that collects and retrieves information from your computer, smart phone or tablet when you visit our website. There can be different types of cookies:

Session cookie – these are set to collect and send information to us for the length of time your browser is open on our website.
Persistent cookie – these stay on your device for longer to help us identify your device in the future and allow a user’s actions to be remembered. They each have their own timeframe for staying on your device.
First party cookie – these are placed on your device directly by SMASH.
Third party cookie – these are placed by a third party, such as an ad network, social media platform or search engine. It may result in additional cookies being set by that third party for their purposes.

Depending on whether you have allowed us to do so, we will use cookies to collect and retrieve the following information:

Unique values/identifiers so that our website know that they are talking to your device.
The time and date that a device has used our websites, the content that you viewed and sometimes how you reached us e.g. via a search engine
The type of device you are using e.g. a tablet or a computer
The brand of device or browser e.g. Apple, Android, Safari, Edge
Inputs made and values submitted.
General geographical location that people access from (e.g. country/city/town)
Your settings for our site (e.g. whether you consent to non-essential cookies being set).

Please be assured that we do not store any secure information about you e.g. card details when making a donation.

Types of Cookies and How We Use Them

SMASH used limited cookies on its website which fall into the following categories:

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are crucial to make our website work and keep you safe. They include, keeping your browsing sessions private, facilitating our donation pages, letting us know whether cookies will work on your device and ensuring we apply your preferences consistently. We use Stripe ( a WordPress plugin) to support us with some of these essential activities and they place cookies to allow users to make secure transactions when donating to SMASH without storing any card information. Some of these cookies are persistent cookies and the information collected is retained and used for 1 year. After this time, it is securely deleted.

Performance cookies

Performance cookies are used in the tracking of how you use a website during your visit but without collecting personal information about you. Typically, this information is anonymous and aggregated with information tracked across all site users, to help companies understand visitor usage patterns, identify and diagnose problems or errors their users may encounter and make better strategic decisions in improving their audience’s overall website experience. These cookies may be set by the website you’re visiting (first party) or by third-party services. We do use performance cookies on our site.

Functionality Cookies

Functionality cookies are used in collecting information about your device and any settings you may configure on the website you’re visiting e.g. timezone settings. With this information, websites can provide you with customised, enhanced or optimised content and services. These cookies may be set by the website you’re visiting (first-party) or by third-party service. We do collect this sort of information on the SMASH website using a WordPress plugin called ‘Fathom.’

Targeting/Advertising Cookies

Targeting/advertising cookies are used in determining what promotional content is more relevant and appropriate to you and your interests. Websites may use them to deliver targeted advertising or to limit the number of times you see an advertisement. This helps companies improve the effectiveness of their campaigns and the quality of content presented to you. These cookies may be set by the website you’re visiting (first-party) or by third-party services. Targeting/advertising cookies set by third-parties may be used to track you on other websites that use the same third-party service. We do not use this type of cookie on our site.

How You Can Control or Opt Out of Cookies

If you do not wish to accept cookies from us, you can opt-out using our cookie banner when the site loads. In addition, most web browsers allow control of most cookies through the browser settings.

The following links will help you find out how to manage cookies on popular browsers:

You can also choose to opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites by visiting http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout (opens in a new window). The SMASH website does not use Google Analytics.

If you have any questions about cookies and/or the information that is collected then please email ben@teamsmash.org.uk