Privacy statement

Stichting Wetswinkel Almere attaches great importance to the protection of your personal data. In this privacy statement we want to provide clear and transparent information about how we handle your personal data. We do everything we can to guarantee your privacy and therefore handle your personal data with care. This explains which data we store and for what purposes your data is stored. In addition, you will also find all your rights with regard to your data and how you can use those rights. The privacy statement can sometimes be changed by, for example, legislative changes. We will change the privacy statement if there are any legislative changes.
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere complies in all cases with applicable laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation. This means that we at least:

• Process your personal data in accordance with the purpose for which it was provided, these purposes and type of personal data are described in this privacy statement;
• Only process your personal data which are at least necessary for the purposes for which they are processed;
• Ask for your explicit (written) permission if we need it for the processing of your personal data;
• Have taken appropriate measures to ensure the security of your personal data;
• Do not pass on personal data to other parties, unless this is necessary for the execution of the purposes for which they were provided;

Be aware of your rights (oblivion, inspection, rectification, restriction, deletion of the processing and objection) regarding your personal data. We will point this out to you and respect it.
As Stichting Wetswinkel Almere, we are responsible for the processing of your personal data. If you have questions after reading our privacy statement or wish to contact us about something else, you can do this via the contact details below:

Stichting Wetswinkel Almere
‘s-Hertogenboschplein 8
1324 WB Almere
info@wetswinkelalmere.nl

WHAT PERSONAL DATA DO WE PROCESS
The following personal data are processed by Stichting Wetswinkel Almere for the purposes stated on the following page:

First Name;
Insertion;
Last name;
E-mail address;
Gender;
Phone number;
Address;
Residence.

WHAT WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR
Your personal data is processed by Stichting Wetswinkel Almere so that we:

Consult your file if you return for further guidance;
Want to look something up for you and come back to you later;
After consulting with you, approach another party to discuss your situation and / or request further assistance;
You can refer to a fellow care provider within and outside our organisation.

PROVISION TO AND FROM THIRD PARTIES
We can provide the data you provide to us to third parties if this is necessary for the implementation of the reasons described above.
We can engage the help of a third party to provide you with more (legal) help and to further guide you with your problem. In some cases we are not the right body to help you further. We would like to help you find the right party.
It is also possible to obtain your data through a third party. We will of course discuss it with you and ask for your permission if we want to request information for the assistance.
We never pass on personal data to other authorities if you have not given us written permission to do so. Furthermore, we will not provide the information you provide to other parties, unless this is required and permitted by law. We may provide data to other parties if there is a legal basis for this. Think of the Public Prosecution Service. In such a case, we must cooperate and are therefore obliged to provide this information.
We do not provide personal data to parties that are located outside the EU.

MINORS
We only process personal data of minors (persons under 16 years of age) if, in addition to personal permission, written permission has also been given by the parent, caregiver or legal representative.

STORAGE PERIOD
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere does not store personal data longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was provided or required by law. We look at how long the data is needed for the purpose for which it was collected or used.

SECURITY
We have taken appropriate measures to protect your personal data against unlawful processing, for example we have taken the following measures:

All persons who can access your data on behalf of Stichting Wetswinkel Almere are bound by confidentiality. All employees have a duty of confidentiality;
We have a username and password policy on all our systems;
We regularly test, evaluate and discuss our measures;
Our employees have been informed about the importance of protecting personal data. They are aware of current laws and regulations (GDPR) with regard to the protection of your personal data.

RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR DATA
You have the right to inspect, rectify, limit or delete the personal data we have received from you. You can also object to the processing of your personal data (or part thereof) by us. We may ask you to identify yourself before we can respond to the aforementioned requests. You can always request us to withdraw your (written) permission to process your personal data.

COMPLAINTS
If you have a complaint about the processing of your personal data, we ask you to contact us directly via the email address: info@wetswinkelalmere.nl. We are sorry if we cannot work it out with you. However, you always have the right to file a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority. This is the supervisory authority in the field of privacy protection.

PROCEDURE

Working method Wetswinkel Almere

You can come to one of our open consultation hours without an appointment. We will speak to you in order of entry. During a personal conversation, where your privacy is guaranteed, we discuss your problem / situation (for venue and time see consultation hours).

It is important for you and for us that you already organise your documents, preferably in chronological order. This saves a lot of time during the interview and provides a check whether you have brought all the papers with you.

We will review the situation with you and ensure that you understand it and know exactly what is in the documents. Subsequently we look together for the best possible solution. These can also be a non-legal solution: this will often be faster and simpler. It is not always necessary to engage a lawyer and / or litigate. However, if a referral is necessary, we will refer you to a lawyer, social counsel or another expert.

Our advice is completely free. If you need more help after this, we can guide you in solving the problem or we can mediate. We believe in self-reliance. You can do a lot yourself, possibly with our support. We do not litigate, we will refer you to a party who can.

Our employees have signed a confidentiality statement. Employees who make a home visit have a VOG (Certificate of Behavior). (See also our Terms and Conditions)

Our vision:

Our vision is to advise the Almeerder in a dedicated, approachable and accessible manner about legal and debt problems.

Our mission:
Our mission is to make the Almeerder more self-aware and self-reliant, so that he can and dares to take his own responsibility.
This distinguishes us from other social support organisations.

Do you have to make an appointment first?

No, you don’t have to. De Wetswinkel works without an appointment, but with open consultation hours. This means that you can drop in at one of our locations between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM (or between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM in the Nieuwe Bibliotheek, i.e. the library). We work in order of entry. You will find our brochures and documentation on one of the tables. There is also a note in which you are asked to fill in your name.

My name? What about my privacy?

We like to be able to address you personally. That’s why we ask you for your name, but we don’t keep it unless we need to refer you to our debt counselors or another counseling agency. You have to sign for that, because without your permission we will not forward your personal data or use it for other purposes than for which we need it. We are not allowed to do that by law.

In addition, all of our volunteers have signed a nondisclosure agreement, so we will handle your data and information very carefully.

Our debt counselors can possibly make a home visit and are in possession of a so-called VOG (“Declaration of Behavior”). Such a statement is issued by the Ministry of Justice, which can be determined to be of irreproachable conduct. That in itself does not offer you a full guarantee, but we want to be careful (see also our General Terms and Conditions).

The papers

Whether you come for a legal or financial problem, often many letters, agreements or e-mails are involved. Of course we want to get to the heart of your problem quickly with you. It will of course help if you first collect all this in order of arrival (date) and order it neatly.

The language used by agencies is often very formal and not always understandably written. Our volunteers are used to that and can use that, in addition to what you explain, to come to advice. So, do not forget to bring all letters and documents related to your question to the consultation hour.

The solution?

The Wetswinkel does not always have the solution to your problem. Sometimes the solution lies elsewhere, for example with another care provider or legal authority. Then we refer you to it, for example to a lawyer, Social Counselor or the district team. We do ensure that you understand why it is necessary and that you know what to expect there. So you are well prepared in any case when you go there.

Why refer?

If we cannot provide the solution ourselves or if we think that a procedure should be started in your situation, we must refer you to another care or legal organisation, such as a lawyer or other support provider. This is because the relevant body can help you further and elaborate our advice because it is more specialized, or because we (as volunteers) do not have time available to guide you further.

First-line advice: what does that mean?

First-line advice means that we must be able to give you advice within the time of your visit to the consultation hour. But also, that we discuss with you the possibilities to tackle your problem. De Wetswinkel is a volunteer organisation with legally trained and experienced volunteers. The volunteers have extensive experience in practice or are advanced with their law studies.

This means that our volunteers have their own daytime job or have to study. As a result, they do not have time to start a procedure for you or to an extensive legal investigation or (long-term) support and we must limit ourselves to first-line advice. Of course, don’t let that stop you from coming back to another consultation hour. For example, to have us review the letter written with our directions. You’re always welcome!

Who will help you?

During the walk-in consultation hours you will find very experienced and involved volunteers.

They are able to clarify and explain any legal and / or official language for you. They are aware of all kinds of possibilities to help and guide you. The walk-in consultation hour is provided by lawyers and prospective lawyers. They are assisted by experts in debt relief counseling and taxation.

The Wetswinkel has been a household name in Almere since 1982. Over the years, the Wetswinkel has successfully helped many people and assisted them with their problems.

We do not fill in your tax form. There are other organisations that can help you with this.

Terms and conditions Stichting Wetswinkel Almere

The following stipulations are an informative translation, in case of dispute only the Dutch text is binding.

It is good to know that our General Terms and Conditions (“GTC”) apply during our office hours. The GTC also apply to any other work that we do for you, such as debt counseling.

The GTC contains the rules that we will adhere to in our contacts with you. We also expect you to comply with those rules, insofar as they apply to you. This way we both know where we stand and what we can expect from each other.

For example, the GTC states when we may refuse help to you and why. We also indicate when we are or are not liable for the advice we give and our actions. We want this to be clear to you and you know we will be open and honest. As a volunteer organization, however, we do not have the resources to guarantee everything.

Article 1: Applicability
These general terms and conditions apply to anyone who appeals to the services of Stichting Wetswinkel Almere.

Article 2: Purpose
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere, established in Almere, is a foundation established under Dutch law, the aim of which is to provide (social) legal advice free of charge. This service is provided by lawyers, who may be assisted by students at law faculties and debt counselors on a voluntary basis.

Article 3: Consultation hours
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere works with open consultation hours and when necessary or desired on the basis of an appointment. Agreements can be refused in special circumstances at the discretion of Stichting Wetswinkel Almere.

Article 4: Information
a. At the start of the intake interview, the client will be asked, if necessary or desired, to provide the name and place of residence. These data only serve as statistics, which figures are used in applications for subsidy (municipality of Almere), unless the client has to be accompanied for a long time at his request.
b. To provide appropriate advice, you must provide the relevant data and information upon request. If possible, you should provide the necessary information / documents as soon as possible. Stichting Wetswinkel Almere will handle the data you provide with the utmost care and confidentiality.
c. Your file can be used for internal evaluation and discussion. Your file can also serve as a basis for, for example, an article. This will be done completely anonymously at all times.
d. If necessary, your file will be kept in our archive afterwards, in accordance with legal requirements.
e. Data is not provided to third parties without the express permission of the client or legal regulations. If allowed, the Stichting Wetswinkel Almere will inform the client if the Stichting Wetswinkel Almere is legally obliged to provide data to third parties.

Article 5: Permission required
a. The client is requested to sign his or her signature for approval with these general terms and conditions. In case of refusal to provide the aforementioned data, the client will be denied any form of help.
b. The Stichting Wetswinkel Almere aims to provide free (social) legal advice. If costs are incurred during the development of a case, the express permission of the client is required in advance. The costs will be charged to the client after agreement.

Article 6: Advice
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere strives to give advice during office hours. If this is not possible, a (written / telephone / oral) advice will follow later, only at the discretion of Stichting Wetswinkel Almere. The client should be aware that the information and advice is provided by students and lawyers who work on a voluntary basis. The visitor may not simply rely on the correctness of the information and advice given by the Volunteer.

Article 7: Refusal of aid
a. Stichting Wetswinkel Almere is not obliged to handle a case, whether or not in parts, from the client.
b. Any form of aggression towards the Volunteers is not accepted. In case of any form of aggression, (A) any form of assistance may be withheld, (B) reported to the police and (C) other appropriate measures may be taken if necessary.

Article 8: Liability
Volunteers of the Stichting Wetswinkel Almere are not personally bound or liable. Any liability arising from or in connection with the performance of the work – including factually or legally incorrect or delayed advice – is excluded. The limitation or exclusion of liability referred to in this article does not apply insofar as there is damage that is the direct result of a deliberate reckless or deliberate shortcoming.
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere is not liable for damage in connection with the use of its website / Facebook / media and the information thereon or the inability to use the website / Facebook / media and the information thereon. Any liability of Stichting Wetswinkel Almere is limited to those cases for which its insurance provides cover and to a maximum of those amounts for which its insurance makes a payment in the case in question.

Article 9: Complaints procedure
Complaints can first be discussed with the Volunteer (s) involved. In the unlikely event that a suitable solution is not found, you can address your complaint to the secretary of the Stichting Wetswinkel Almere in accordance with the Stichting Wetswinkel Almere complaints procedure.

Article 10: Change
Stichting Wetswinkel Almere has the right to unilaterally change one or more clauses of these general terms and conditions. If a provision of these general terms and conditions proves to be void or voidable, this will not affect the validity of these general terms and conditions at all.

You can download our terms and conditions here

Wetswinkel Almere is always looking for passionate volunteers. Would you like to get satisfaction from your work and dedicate yourself to the Almeerder? Come and join our team! Respond to one of the vacancies below or send us an open application to vacatures@wetswinkelalmere.nl.