Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and similar technologies on the Welcome Care & Support website, and how you can manage your preferences.
Last updated: February 2025. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar technologies we use on the Welcome Care & Support website, why we use them, and how you can control them. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to give site owners useful information about how the site is used. We may also use similar technologies such as local storage (e.g. in your browser) to store your cookie consent choices and other preferences.
2. How we use cookies
We use cookies only where we have a lawful basis. Under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR):
- Strictly necessary cookies— required for the website to function (e.g. security, load balancing, remembering your cookie consent choice). These do not require your consent but we still inform you about them.
- Analytics / performance cookies— help us understand how visitors use the site (e.g. pages visited, general traffic). We use these only with your consent.
- Marketing or targeting cookies— used to deliver relevant content or ads (e.g. on social media or third-party platforms). We use these only with your consent.
3. Cookies we use
The following table describes the cookies and similar technologies we use (or may use) on this website:
| Name / type | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences (e.g. accept, reject, or custom choices) so we do not ask again on every visit. | 12 months | Strictly necessary |
| Next.js / framework | Session and routing cookies used by the Next.js framework to deliver the site (e.g. server-side rendering, security). | Session or short-lived | Strictly necessary |
| Analytics (if enabled) | If you consent to analytics, we may use cookies or similar tech to collect anonymous usage data (e.g. page views, referrer) to improve the site. No personal data is stored in these cookies without your consent. | As per provider (e.g. 12–24 months) | Analytics (consent required) |
| Marketing (if enabled) | If you consent to marketing cookies, third-party services (e.g. social media, ad platforms) may set cookies to show relevant content or measure ad performance. We do not currently use marketing cookies on this site; this may change and we will update this policy and the consent widget if so. | As per provider | Marketing (consent required) |
4. Managing your preferences
When you first visit the site, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept all—consent to all optional cookies (analytics and marketing, if used).
- Reject non-essential—only strictly necessary cookies will be used.
- Customise—choose which categories (e.g. analytics, marketing) you allow.
Your choice is stored (e.g. in local storage or a cookie) so we remember it on future visits. You can change your mind at any time by reopening the cookie preferences—use the "Cookie preferences" or "Manage cookies" link in the website footer, or clear your browser data (note: this will remove your saved preference and you will see the banner again).
5. Browser settings
Most browsers let you block or delete cookies via their settings. Doing so may affect how the website works (e.g. you may need to set your consent again each visit). For more information, see your browser's help section (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
6. Third-party cookies
Our site may include content or links to third-party services (e.g. Google Maps, social media). Those parties may set their own cookies when you interact with their content. We do not control these cookies; please refer to their respective privacy and cookie policies.
7. Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time (e.g. when we add or remove cookies). The "Last updated" date at the top will change, and we may prompt you to review your consent if there are material changes.
8. Contact
For questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, contact us at info@welcomecare.co.uk or write to: Welcome Care & Support, Aone Business Centre Gateshead, 3 Summerhill, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 4JR. Phone: 01918 236771.