The small text files this website uses, why we use them, and how you stay in control.
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to store. Cookies let a site remember things between pages and visits — for example, that you have already answered a question, or how you like the site set up. A closely related technology, browser local storage, works in a similar way but can hold slightly more data. On this site we use both, and when we say "cookies" we mean both unless we say otherwise.
| Category | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Remember your cookie consent choice so the banner does not keep asking. Also used by our hosting to keep the site secure and available. These are set regardless of consent because the site cannot work properly without them. | Up to 12 months |
| Preferences | Remember small choices you make, such as staying logged out of nothing on this site — at present this category is minimal and largely covered by the consent store above. | Up to 12 months |
| Analytics | With your consent, help us understand in aggregate how many people visit, which pages they read and how they found us, so we can improve the site. No analytics cookies are set if you decline. | Up to 24 months |
| Advertising | With your consent, allow Microsoft Advertising to serve, measure and personalise ads on these pages, and to limit how often you see the same one. See our advertising policy. No advertising cookies are set if you decline. | Typically up to 13 months |
The first time you visit any page on this site, a banner at the bottom of the screen asks you to accept or decline optional cookies, with a link to this policy. Your choice is stored in your browser's local storage under a key specific to this site, and the banner will not be shown again on that device and browser until you change your mind. Declining never stops you reading any page, and strictly necessary cookies are unaffected either way.
You can change your choice at any time:
Every modern browser lets you see, block and delete cookies. How you do it depends on the browser, but you will usually find the controls under Settings, then Privacy or Cookies. You can block all cookies or only third-party ones; you can also delete existing ones. Be aware that blocking strictly necessary cookies can make parts of some websites behave oddly — though this site keeps those to a minimum.
If anything here is unclear, email hello@helpathomebyjen.co.uk and we will explain in plain English. Our wider data practices are described in the privacy policy.