Terms & Conditions

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Welcome to the Dignity Alliance website.

These Terms & Conditions explain the general rules that apply when using our website, contacting Dignity Alliance, requesting community support, participating in our activities, volunteering, supporting community projects or otherwise interacting with Dignity Alliance.

By using this website or contacting Dignity Alliance for support or participation in our activities, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

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1. About Dignity Alliance

Dignity Alliance is an independent, volunteer-led, non-profit unincorporated association based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.

We are a community-led group providing free practical support to people facing hardship, homelessness, housing difficulties, problems involving public services, anti-social behaviour and other challenging situations.

Our work is built around four main areas:

• Practical Help & Crisis Support.

• Housing, Advice & Advocacy.

• Community Voice & Collective Support.

• Community Projects & Local Improvement.

Our activities may include practical assistance, general information, communication support, signposting, helping people organise difficult situations, working with charities and community organisations, and supporting positive local initiatives.

Our purpose is to help people through difficult situations with dignity, connect them with appropriate support and strengthen cooperation within local communities.

Dignity Alliance does not operate for private profit.

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2. Our Role

Dignity Alliance provides community-based practical support, general information, communication assistance, signposting and community engagement.

Our activities may include:

• supporting people experiencing hardship, homelessness or housing insecurity;

• helping identify immediate practical needs and appropriate sources of support;

• coordinating essential items or donated goods where resources are available;

• helping people understand correspondence from councils, housing providers and other organisations;

• helping people organise complicated or long-running situations;

• helping prepare timelines, summaries and relevant information;

• assisting with draft complaints and follow-up correspondence;

• helping people prepare for meetings or appointments;

• supporting people experiencing housing or Homefinder-related difficulties;

• supporting concerns involving anti-social behaviour, accessibility or fair treatment;

• helping people identify appropriate charities, services or qualified professionals;

• working with charities, community groups, volunteers, businesses and other organisations;

• identifying recurring community concerns;

• supporting community projects and local improvement initiatives;

• seeking appropriate partners, grants, sponsorship, donated materials or practical support where relevant.

Our activities may develop or change according to community needs, available resources and the capacity of our volunteers.

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3. We Are Not a Law Firm or Public Authority

Dignity Alliance is not a law firm.

We are not solicitors, barristers or regulated legal advisers and we do not provide legal advice, legal representation or reserved legal services.

We are also not a council, government agency, police service, housing provider, Ombudsman, regulator or official representative of any public authority.

Information, practical support or assistance provided by Dignity Alliance should not be treated as a substitute for advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

Where we believe a matter requires specialist legal advice or representation, we may suggest that the person contacts an appropriately qualified solicitor, legal advice organisation or other professional service.

The same principle applies to specialist medical, financial, safeguarding, immigration or other regulated professional advice.

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4. Information From Official Sources

Where Dignity Alliance refers to policies, procedures, eligibility criteria, complaint processes, public-service rules or similar information, we aim to use information published by the relevant council, housing provider, government body, regulator or other responsible organisation.

Policies, procedures and eligibility rules may change.

Dignity Alliance does not create, control or provide an official interpretation of another organisation's rules.

Where a decision depends on current policy, eligibility or procedural requirements, individuals should also check the latest information published by the relevant organisation.

Dignity Alliance cannot guarantee that external information will remain current, complete or unchanged.

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5. Requesting Support

Anyone requesting support from Dignity Alliance should provide information that is accurate and truthful to the best of their knowledge.

Every request will be considered individually.

Submitting a request does not create an automatic entitlement to support and does not guarantee that Dignity Alliance will be able to assist.

Our ability to help may depend on:

• the nature and complexity of the situation;

• whether the matter falls within our role;

• available volunteers and resources;

• geographical location;

• safety or safeguarding considerations;

• the information available to us; and

• whether another organisation or professional is better placed to assist.

We may ask reasonable questions where necessary to understand the situation.

Our support may include both immediate practical needs and situations that have become difficult, unclear, delayed, disputed or unresolved.

We do not normally provide a general administrative, secretarial or routine form-filling service where no specific support need or problem has arisen.

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6. You Remain In Control

The person receiving support remains responsible for their own decisions and for deciding what action they wish to take.

Dignity Alliance may help organise information, explain published procedures and prepare draft correspondence, but we do not automatically take control of or formally manage a person's matter.

Unless specifically agreed and appropriately authorised, Dignity Alliance does not act as an agent or official representative for the person receiving support.

Where we help prepare correspondence, the individual should normally review and approve its content before it is sent.

Where an organisation requires formal permission before discussing an individual's circumstances with another person, the individual may need to provide appropriate consent or authority directly to that organisation.

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7. No Guarantee of Outcome

Dignity Alliance cannot guarantee the outcome of any complaint, housing application, bidding process, request, dispute, investigation, appeal, funding application, community proposal or other matter.

We cannot make decisions on behalf of:

• councils;

• housing providers;

• Homefinder services;

• police;

• government departments;

• Ombudsman services;

• courts;

• regulators;

• landowners;

• funders; or

• other organisations.

Any decision made by an independent organisation remains the responsibility of that organisation.

Our role is to help people become better organised, better informed and better prepared to communicate their concerns, needs or ideas.

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8. Information and Documents

Dignity Alliance follows a data-minimisation approach.

We do not aim to maintain unnecessary permanent case files or archives of personal documents belonging to people who contact us for support.

Where personal information or documents are voluntarily provided to us, they should only be used where reasonably necessary to understand the particular issue and provide practical support or signposting.

Dignity Alliance does not intentionally collect documents or sensitive personal information for future or unrelated use.

Where documents are reviewed in connection with a particular matter, we aim not to retain copies once they are no longer reasonably required for the purpose concerned.

People contacting Dignity Alliance should only provide information relevant to the issue they are asking us to consider.

We strongly encourage people not to send unnecessary:

• passports or identity documents;

• bank or payment details;

• complete medical records;

• financial statements;

• passwords;

• login details;

• documents containing unrelated personal information; or

• sensitive information concerning other people unless genuinely necessary.

Individuals should normally retain their own original documents.

Information provided to us must not be deliberately false, misleading or obtained unlawfully.

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9. Personal Information

Dignity Alliance takes the protection of personal information seriously.

We aim to process only the minimum amount of personal information reasonably necessary for a specific purpose.

We do not sell personal information.

We do not use information provided in connection with a support request for unrelated commercial purposes.

Where information is no longer required for the purpose for which it was provided, we aim to delete, anonymise or dispose of it appropriately.

Further information about our handling of personal information is provided in our Privacy Policy.

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10. Sensitive Information

Some situations may involve sensitive information concerning matters such as health, disability, ethnicity, discrimination or other personal circumstances.

People should only provide sensitive information where it is genuinely relevant to the issue.

Dignity Alliance will aim to limit the amount of such information processed and will not request sensitive information without a reasonable reason connected with the support being sought.

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11. Community Voice & Collective Support

Dignity Alliance may identify concerns affecting more than one resident and may also work with community groups, charities, organisations and individuals where cooperation could benefit local people.

Where appropriate, we may use general themes, anonymised experiences, survey results or non-identifying information to raise awareness of wider community concerns.

We may also cooperate with other organisations to share information about available support, coordinate appropriate community assistance or contribute to positive local initiatives.

We will not intentionally publish a person's name, identifiable personal story, private correspondence, photographs or other identifying information without appropriate permission or another lawful basis.

Our purpose in raising wider issues is to encourage constructive discussion, transparency, fair treatment and positive improvement.

Dignity Alliance is not an official regulator, Ombudsman or enforcement body.

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12. Community Projects & Local Improvement

Dignity Alliance may support or help develop projects intended to benefit local communities.

Such projects may relate to matters including:

• public and community spaces;

• parks and play areas;

• accessibility;

• environmental improvements;

• community clean-up activities;

• community safety;

• lighting or safety concerns;

• local facilities;

• community participation; or

• other constructive local improvements.

Dignity Alliance may gather residents' views, encourage community participation, identify possible partners, explore funding opportunities and communicate proposals to appropriate organisations.

The existence of a proposal or campaign does not mean that Dignity Alliance owns, controls or has authority over the land, facility or service concerned.

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13. Permissions, CCTV and Regulated Projects

Some community projects may require permission or approval from:

• councils;

• landowners;

• planning authorities;

• highways authorities;

• police;

• regulators;

• housing providers; or

• other responsible organisations.

Dignity Alliance will not knowingly encourage a project to bypass applicable permissions or regulatory requirements.

Projects involving CCTV, surveillance, construction, electrical work, public infrastructure, land alterations or other specialist activities must only proceed where appropriate permissions and professional requirements have been considered.

Where specialist expertise is necessary, Dignity Alliance may seek or recommend involvement from appropriately qualified professionals or responsible organisations.

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14. Grants, Sponsorship and Donations

Dignity Alliance may seek grants, sponsorship, donations, donated materials, professional services or other practical support for community projects and organisational activities.

Submitting a funding or sponsorship request does not guarantee that funding or support will be received.

Where support is offered for a particular project, appeal or purpose, Dignity Alliance will aim to use it for the purpose for which it was accepted, subject to any applicable conditions and organisational requirements.

Acceptance of sponsorship, support or a donation does not automatically give the donor, sponsor or supporting organisation control over Dignity Alliance's activities or public positions.

Dignity Alliance may decline proposed funding, sponsorship, donations or partnerships where they are inconsistent with our purpose, values, independence or practical requirements.

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15. Working With Other Organisations

Dignity Alliance may communicate or cooperate with:

• charities;

• community organisations;

• councils;

• housing providers;

• elected representatives;

• public bodies;

• specialist support organisations;

• local businesses;

• sponsors;

• funders;

• landowners; and

• appropriately qualified professionals.

Dignity Alliance actively encourages appropriate cooperation with charities, community groups, local organisations, businesses and individuals where working together may provide better practical support or community benefit.

Where appropriate, we may provide contact details or signpost people to third-party organisations.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, those organisations operate independently from Dignity Alliance.

Dignity Alliance is not responsible for the decisions, availability, advice, services, actions or policies of independent third parties.

A referral, signpost, partnership discussion or introduction does not guarantee that another organisation will accept a matter, provide assistance or participate in a project.

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16. Communication With Organisations

Dignity Alliance may help individuals prepare correspondence or identify appropriate organisations to contact.

The person requesting support remains responsible for reviewing and approving correspondence submitted in their own name.

Dignity Alliance does not guarantee that correspondence prepared with our support will result in a particular response or outcome.

No volunteer or contributor is authorised to contact an organisation or person in the name of Dignity Alliance unless that contact falls within their assigned role and has been authorised by Dignity Alliance.

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17. Emergency Situations

Dignity Alliance is not an emergency service.

Our website, email and social media channels are not monitored continuously.

They must not be used where immediate assistance is required.

Anyone facing immediate danger, a medical emergency, a crime in progress or another urgent situation requiring emergency intervention should contact the appropriate emergency or specialist service directly.

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18. Safeguarding

Dignity Alliance takes genuine concerns about safety and safeguarding seriously.

We cannot provide emergency safeguarding intervention or replace statutory safeguarding services.

Where information indicates an immediate or serious risk to someone's safety, Dignity Alliance may take reasonable steps consistent with applicable law and safeguarding responsibilities, including encouraging or, where appropriate and lawful, making contact with a relevant emergency or safeguarding service.

Nothing on this website should be treated as emergency safeguarding assistance.

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19. Respectful Behaviour

Dignity Alliance aims to provide a respectful and welcoming environment.

We will not tolerate threatening, abusive, discriminatory, intimidating, fraudulent or deliberately disruptive behaviour directed towards volunteers, supporters, partner organisations or members of the public.

We reserve the right to limit, pause or discontinue communication or support where behaviour creates a legitimate safety, safeguarding or operational concern.

We may also discontinue involvement where a person deliberately provides false information or attempts to misuse Dignity Alliance.

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20. Independence

Dignity Alliance is independent.

Providing support to a person does not mean that we automatically agree with every allegation, opinion or conclusion expressed by that person.

Where appropriate, we may encourage people to present concerns factually and distinguish between confirmed information, personal experience, allegation and opinion.

Supporting a community proposal also does not mean that Dignity Alliance guarantees or endorses every statement made by individual participants.

Our aim is to support fair, responsible and constructive communication.

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21. Information Provided on Our Website

We aim to keep information published on our website accurate, useful and understandable.

However, procedures, policies, funding programmes, services and external information may change.

We cannot guarantee that every page will always be complete, current or free from errors.

Website content is provided primarily for general information and community support purposes.

It should not be treated as professional legal, medical, financial, safeguarding or other specialist advice.

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22. Website Use

You must not use this website:

• for unlawful or fraudulent purposes;

• to deliberately provide false or misleading information;

• to attempt unauthorised access to our systems;

• to interfere with the operation or security of the website;

• to impersonate Dignity Alliance or its volunteers;

• to misuse our name or branding;

• to upload harmful or malicious material;

• to use our services to harass, threaten or target another person; or

• to falsely claim that Dignity Alliance has authorised, endorsed or approved an activity, project, communication or fundraising effort.

We may restrict access to parts of the website where reasonably necessary for security, safety or operational reasons.

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23. Our Name, Logo and Content

The Dignity Alliance name, logo, branding, original graphics, photographs, written materials and other original content must not be used in a way that falsely suggests endorsement, partnership, authorisation or representation by Dignity Alliance.

Permission should be obtained before using the Dignity Alliance name or branding for:

• fundraising;

• sponsorship requests;

• community projects;

• promotional activities;

• organisational activities; or

• commercial purposes.

Normal sharing of publicly available Dignity Alliance social media posts or website links is permitted where the original source remains clear.

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24. External Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites and online services.

These links may be provided for information, convenience or signposting purposes.

Dignity Alliance does not control third-party websites and cannot guarantee their content, security, availability or accuracy.

Users should review the terms and privacy policies of external services independently.

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25. Limitation of Our Support

Dignity Alliance will aim to act responsibly and provide support within the limits of our role, resources and capabilities.

However, we cannot guarantee:

• that every request will be accepted;

• that support will be provided within a particular timeframe;

• that we will remain involved throughout an entire matter;

• that another organisation will respond;

• that a complaint or application will succeed;

• that a community project will proceed;

• that funding, sponsorship or permission will be obtained;

• that donated goods, emergency items, accommodation or other practical resources will always be available;

• that information supplied by a third party is accurate; or

• that our activities or services will always be available.

Nothing published on this website creates an automatic entitlement to support, participation, funding or involvement from Dignity Alliance.

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26. Ending or Declining Support or Involvement

Dignity Alliance may decline, pause or end involvement in a matter, activity or project where:

• it falls outside our role;

• specialist professional advice is required;

• we do not have sufficient capacity or resources;

• continuing involvement would create an unreasonable safety or safeguarding risk;

• false or misleading information has deliberately been provided;

• communication becomes threatening or abusive;

• there is a serious conflict of interest;

• another organisation is clearly better placed to assist;

• required permissions cannot be obtained;

• a project presents unacceptable legal, financial, operational or reputational risk; or

• involvement would be inconsistent with the purpose or values of Dignity Alliance.

Where reasonably possible, we will explain why we are unable to continue and may provide appropriate signposting.

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27. Volunteering

Dignity Alliance is volunteer-led.

Volunteers may only carry out tasks, activities and communications that fall within their agreed role and have been assigned or authorised by Dignity Alliance.

A volunteer may only contact a resident, organisation, council, housing provider, business, sponsor, public authority or other third party in the name of Dignity Alliance where that contact has been assigned or authorised.

Volunteers must not independently:

• contact organisations or individuals in the name of Dignity Alliance outside their authorised role;

• provide legal, financial, medical, immigration or other regulated professional advice unless appropriately qualified and specifically authorised;

• represent themselves as a solicitor, lawyer, official investigator, council officer, police officer or representative of a public authority;

• promise a particular outcome;

• make commitments, agreements or representations on behalf of Dignity Alliance without authority;

• collect donations, seek sponsorship or enter into financial arrangements in the name of Dignity Alliance without authorisation;

• create or maintain private archives of residents' documents outside approved systems;

• use Dignity Alliance identification, branding or materials for unauthorised purposes; or

• undertake activities outside their role without approval.

If a volunteer is unsure whether an action or contact is authorised, they must seek approval before proceeding.

Actions taken independently outside a volunteer's agreed role, contrary to Dignity Alliance instructions or without our knowledge or authorisation are not authorised activities or official positions of Dignity Alliance.

Such conduct may result in the volunteer role being restricted, suspended or ended.

Volunteer involvement may also be subject to separate policies, confidentiality expectations, safeguarding requirements, training and role descriptions.

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28. Complaints About Dignity Alliance

We aim to treat people fairly and respectfully.

If someone has a concern about the way Dignity Alliance or one of our volunteers has handled an interaction, activity or project, they may contact us and explain the issue.

We will aim to review legitimate concerns fairly and respond where reasonably possible.

Further details may be provided in a separate Dignity Alliance Complaints Policy.

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29. Accessibility

We aim to make our website, community information and activities accessible to as many people as reasonably possible.

Where practical, we will try to communicate information in a clear and understandable way and consider reasonable accessibility needs when planning community activities.

Further information is available through our Accessibility Statement.

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30. Organisational Status

Dignity Alliance currently operates as an unincorporated association.

An unincorporated association does not have separate legal personality in the same way as an incorporated company.

Our organisational structure may change in the future.

Where it does, these Terms & Conditions may be updated to reflect the new structure.

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31. Changes to These Terms

Dignity Alliance may update these Terms & Conditions where our activities, website, organisational arrangements or applicable requirements change.

The latest version will be published on this website.

Users are encouraged to review this page periodically.

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32. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms & Conditions or the activities of Dignity Alliance, please contact us using the details provided on our Contact page.

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Dignity Alliance
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Volunteer-led non-profit unincorporated association

Last updated: September 2026