Folks Directory (often stylised as folks.directory), or here referred to here as the "directory", is a free, public directory of creatives who live or work in Folkestone. We provide a centralised information sharing point that encourages creative-to-creative and business-to-creative connections.
What information we collect
When you join the directory, we collect:
- Your email address
- A link to your website, portfolio or public social media profile
- Information about your skills and services
- Any details you choose to share about where people are likely to find you
We don't collect personal information like home addresses or phone numbers.
How we use your information
We process your information based on your consent, which you give by voluntarily submitting your details to join the directory, therefore aknowledging we're an informal collective without regulatory oversight (see the Public Listing Considerations section below).
Your email address is kept private and used only by directory organizers and volunteers to contact you about:
- Updates to your directory listing
- Directory developments and improvements
- Local events we organise (or recommend)
We send these communications either directly from our folksdirectory@gmail.com address, Airtable (airtable.com) for automated updates, or via Loops (loops.so) for our newsletters. We maintain strict controls over who has access to these accounts.
Your professional information (skills, submitted website, expertise, where to find you in person) is displayed publicly in the directory to help people find and connect with you. We store data securely in Airtable (airtable.com). Please note this is an US-based platform, which means your data may be transferred outside the UK and EU. We've chosen this platform for its security features, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
Your data rights
We voluntarily commit to honoring these principles:
- View your listing: Your public information is visible at
- Update your information: Email us at folksdirectory@gmail.com with changes. We'll update within 14 days.
- Remove your listing: Email us at folksdirectory@gmail.com and we'll delete your information completely within 30 days.
- Get a copy of your data: We can provide your information in a common format (like CSV or txt) within 30 days of request.
- Withdraw consent: You can withdraw your consent at any time by requesting removal from the directory.
- Questions or concerns: Contact us anytime at
Data security and access
We use standard security practices and only authorized volunteers involved in maintaining the directory have access to the full database. We never sell or share your email address with third parties.
How long we keep your data: We keep your information for as long as you want to be listed in the directory. If you haven't confirmed you want to stay listed after 2 years, we'll email to check you still want to be included.
If something goes wrong: We don't have formal breach reporting obligations but we take security seriously. If we ever become aware of a data breach that could affect you, we commit to notifying you via email as soon as possible.
Who can join
The directory is for adults (18+) only. By submitting your information, you confirm you're 18 or older.
Changes to this policy
We'll notify you by email if we make significant changes to how we handle your data.
Public listing considerations
- Your professional information will be publicly visible online.
- While we don't publish personal details like home addresses or phone numbers, your listing will help people identify and contact you through your website or professional channels.
- As with any public directory, there's a possibility that someone could misuse this information, though we've seen no evidence of this in similar grassroots initiatives.
- You're making an informed choice to participate in this public resource.
We're an informal collective.
This resource is run by volunteers. We operate as an unincorporated association rather than a formal entity, and therefore cannot register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). This means:
- While we follow data protection principles as best we can, we don't have the same formal obligations as registered organizations.
- You still have the right to complain to the ICO, but they may have limited ability to take action against an informal collective. We recommended to first address your complaint directly with us before escalating it to any other party.
- We are working to become a Community Interest Company in the near future. In the meantime, we rely on trust and our commitment to the community.
- The folks.directory volunteers act as joint data controllers for your information to the best of our ability within these constraints.
- By joining the directory, you accept the above limitations.