Member Agreement and Terms & Conditions
How It Works
BuddyHub’s Membership Community
Being a BuddyHub community member offers many opportunities and benefits including:
-Safely making new friends of all ages;
-Meeting other members of the BuddyHub community;
-Receiving invitations to in person and online events with others who share your interests;
-Being personally matched to other members with our ‘Friendship Finder’; and
-Being part of a growing community of purpose bonded by kindness and friendship.
Pairs or Social Groups
Our ‘Friendship Finder’ technology helps our Community Hosts suggest personalised matches with up to three other members who have various interests in common with you. If you agree to meet your suggested match, the Community Hosts will help facilitate an initial introduction.
If all goes well, fellow members should then contact each other directly to arrange to get together. You decide together when and where you meet and what you do. You each pay for yourselves during outings. We suggest you meet the members we match you with at least monthly to help your friendship to develop. You may meet one-to-one or with other members of your social group if that works for you all.
Interest Groups
Based on your profile, we will seek to place you in one or more groups of up to 15 like-minded individuals who share your passions. They are formed of groups of people meeting to explore a common theme or activity, such as music. You all decide what to do with some support from our Community Hosts.
Events
You can join our online or in-person events, thoughtfully hosted by our dedicated Community Hosts or friendly Member Hosts. It is your opportunity to connect with other members and have a great time in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Tickets to events with a Community Host present will usually incur a small fee.
Joining BuddyHub
You begin by filling out a Member Welcome Form and sharing your profile information. A Community Host will then arrange a brief Welcome Chat, either online or in person, to go through the information you have provided. We provide a personalised service and take the time to get to know your interests and values and understand what you would like to get out of your membership.
After your Welcome Chat, you can join our online community and participate in our events. We will also start looking for members to match you to. You can communicate with other members through the Circle Platform.
The BuddyHub Team
A Community Host will carry out your Welcome Chat at our office in Islington or online. They help to find matches for our members, introduce them to each other and, where required, provide ongoing advice and support.
Where appropriate, a Community Host can help to arrange and host specific events, though these are generally handled by members. Community Hosts also play a role in encouraging members to participate in our events and activities and empowering members to meet each other.
You can contact them on 07714 118916 or hello@buddyhub.co.uk during our office hours. Our office hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Membership Fees
There is a joining fee of £20 which is non-refundable and payable in advance of your Welcome Chat. Your Monthly Fees are billed monthly at the standard rate of £15 per month or otherwise at the reduced rate offered on our website or another reduced rate that we have advised you of for the period that is agreed.
We will automatically process your membership fee each month using the card details you provided when signing up. You can cancel your membership at any time by letting us know you would like to do so. We may cancel your membership if there are two successive failed payments.
Membership Suspension or Cancellation
If we discover a potential risk to our team and/or members, we reserve the right to suspend or cancel your membership.
If we cancel your membership (but advise that you can join us again later on), or you decide to suspend your membership, you will have to pay a one-off fee of £20 to reactivate your membership.
Our cancellation policy can be found in our Terms below (see clauses 4 and 5).
Keep In Touch
It’s really up to you how much you decide to make use of BuddyHub services. But, as with many things in life, you get out what you put in. So, please treat other members as you would like to be treated yourself and respond to members who would like to get or keep in touch with you.
Please also let our team know of any changes in your circumstances that might affect your membership.
Member Wellbeing
We want members to feel safe and an integral part of the BuddyHub community. If you have any concerns about the health or wellbeing of any members, please let us know by email at hello@buddyhub.co.uk, using the subject line ‘Member Safety’. We will review and get back to you as soon as we can during our weekend office hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
If a member is feeling uncomfortable because of the actions of another member (for example, communication which is too frequent or overbearing, or generally being unkind) we ask that the affected member voice their concerns to any hosts who are present at an event. If the behaviour continues, we ask that it is reported to us via hello@buddyhub.co.uk.
If a member is noticeably struggling with their emotional wellbeing, it may also be appropriate to suggest they call their GP and explain their situation. They might be able to refer them to a specialist for some help. They can call 111 to speak to a nurse or a mental health nurse who will advise on what to do and offer some guidance on next steps. For immediate help call the Samaritans on 116123.
If there is an emergency involving someone attending an event or activity, please follow standard safety procedures, dialling 999, following the directions of staff and seeking the help of first aiders as appropriate. Please let us know if any such events occur so that we can record the incident in our accident and incident log and explore whether any further actions need to take place.
Code of Conduct
If you are not happy with the service you have received from BuddyHub, we would encourage you to raise a complaint with us. If you would like to make a complaint, please refer to our complaints procedure which is available in our Terms (see clause 9). We will try to resolve the issue as best as we can.
BuddyHub will not tolerate verbally or physically aggressive behaviour (including inflammatory statements and unsubstantiated allegations) towards its staff or members, whether in-person, online or over the phone.
If this code is breached, we reserve the right to review your membership and take further action as we see fit. Depending on the severity of the breach, we may suspend or cancel your membership permanently.
BuddyHub’s Terms and Conditions
Now for the legal stuff. We get it. Sitting down to read lengthy terms and conditions isn’t the most fun activity in the world. But we’ve got to do it as it covers the formal agreement between us both, the things we promise to do for you and the things you promise to do for us.
But don’t worry. We’ve limited the main terms and conditions to the essentials and kept legal jargon to a minimum. There are no unfair contract terms or other hidden surprises buried in the small print. But if you still feel life’s too short for this stuff, then take a look at the right-hand column below, where you’ll find a short, simple summary of what the terms and conditions cover. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, please do give us a shout!
Full Terms and Conditions
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Interpretation
The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply in this Agreement.
1.1 Definitions:
1 Agreement: means this agreement only, which can also be referred to as the Terms.
2 BuddyHub: means BuddyHub C.I.C; company number 09332306 of Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road, London. EC1R 3DA who may also be referred to as “We”, “Our”, “Us” within the Agreement.
3 Circle Platform: means the platform or software through which Members communicate with other Members.
4 Community Host: means a person who will carry out Welcome Chats at our office in Islington or online, help to find matches for Members, introduce them to each other and, where required, provide ongoing advice and support. Where appropriate, they will help with arrangements for events, encourage Members to participate in activities and empower Members to meet each other.
5 Pairs or Social Groups: means a group of usually between two to four other Members that we match you with, providing an opportunity for you to socialise with them as part of your Membership.
6 Interest Group: means a larger group of Members that you can socialise with around common themes or activities.
7 Joining Fee: means the fee paid by you as you sign up to BuddyHub. The joining fee is £20, or the current rate offered on our website, unless we have agreed a discounted rate with you.
8 Member Welcome Form(s): the form(s) that you as a Member will fill out and sign before your Welcome Chat or before becoming a full Member.
9 Member: you, as the other party entering into this Agreement with BuddyHub. A Member may also be referred to as “You”, “Your” within the Agreement.
10 Member Hosts: means a Member who may organise online or in-person events.
11 Membership: means your ongoing Membership with BuddyHub under the terms of this Agreement.
12 Monthly Fee: means the fee paid by you as the Member on a monthly basis in advance. Your monthly fee is £15 subject to any concessions otherwise agreed with you.
13 Services: means the services provided by BuddyHub to you as part of your Membership.
14 Member Sponsor: means a person who assists a Member, if required, with their digital onboarding and/or payment of BuddyHub fees.
15 Terms: means this Agreement, which may also be referred to as the Agreement.
16 Welcome Chat: means the initial meeting between BuddyHub and you to complete the sign-up process for you as a new Member.
17 Writing: means either letters or emails.
1.2 Interpretation:
1 Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural and, in the plural, shall include the singular.
2 Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to one gender shall include a reference to the other genders.
3 All agreements relating to the provision of Services by BuddyHub to the Member are subject to these Terms to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions.
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Acceptance of this Agreement
2.1 Please read these Terms carefully before you become a Member of BuddyHub. These Terms tell you who we are, how we will provide Services to you, how you and we may change or end the Agreement, what to do if there is a problem and other important information. If you think that there is a mistake in these Terms, please contact us to discuss.
2.2 All those wishing to join BuddyHub must agree to the Terms set out below. The Terms shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Member upon payment of the Joining Fee by or on behalf of the Member.
2.3 These are the Terms on which BuddyHub provides our Services to you. Any variation or addition to the Terms shall be binding on Members upon publication of the revised Terms on our website.
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Information about us and how to contact us
3.1 BuddyHub is a Community Interest Company registered in England, under Company Number 09332306. We are located at Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3DA. For the purposes of Data Protection, BuddyHub is a data controller. Our ICO registration number is ZA119405.
3.2 For specific questions about your BuddyHub Membership, please contact a Community Host directly. To contact BuddyHub Head Office please contact us by email hello@buddyhub.co.uk or by post at BuddyHub, Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3DA.
3.3 If we need to contact you, we will do so by either text message (including WhatsApp), telephone or by writing to you at the email address you provided when you signed-up.
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Payment and cancellation
4.1 Payment of the Joining Fee is required prior to your Welcome Chat. This initial payment covers part of the cost of registering you as a Member and is non-refundable.
4.2 Your Membership is paid monthly in advance and must be paid in full each month prior to you receiving further Services the following month (the “Monthly Fee”). Subsequent payments will be taken on the same date each month.
4.3 You hereby authorise BuddyHub to process automatic monthly payments on the basis described in 4.2 above (“Continuous Payment Authority”) until such time as you give us 30-days’ written notice to cancel this authorisation. Payments will be taken from the card from which you made your last payment or such other card as you advise us of. If you want to change the card details, please contact us.
4.4 It is your responsibility to make sure that there are sufficient funds in your account and that the saved card remains valid. If an automatic payment has failed, we will notify you and a manual payment will be required to retain your Membership. A further Continuous Payment Authority will need to be provided, at the same time, to continue your Membership. You will be responsible for any fees or penalties that BuddyHub incurs as a result of a failed payment and BuddyHub reserves the right to issue legal proceedings to recover any unpaid balances due in accordance with this Agreement.
4.5 Any payments made by a Member Sponsor under this Agreement are deemed to have been made on behalf of the relevant Member.
4.6 If BuddyHub has to cancel its Services for any reason outside the control of BuddyHub, including (without limitation) as a result of an “Act of God” (e.g. disruption resulting from extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, strikes or terrorist activity), or where local or governmental authorities/public guidance advise that face-to-face meetings or any other of BuddyHub’s Services should be temporarily suspended for health or other reasons (“Extreme Reasons”), then no refunds nor credits shall be given.
4.7 BuddyHub reserves the right to provide online Membership only as a replacement for, or alternative to, its Services where it is not possible or reasonably practicable to provide face-to-face meetings, including (without limitation) for the aforementioned Extreme Reasons, and in doing so BuddyHub shall satisfy its contractual obligations hereunder and there shall be no entitlement to any refund or credit.
4.8 If your Membership fee changes you will be notified in advance of your revised payment schedule by a Community Host and/or BuddyHub.
4.9 When paying for your Membership, we will accept: Visa Credit, Visa Debit, MasterCard Credit, MasterCard Debit, Visa Electron, Maestro and American Express.
4.10 All fees stated are inclusive of VAT.
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Cancellation by BuddyHub
5.1 BuddyHub may cancel this Agreement at any time before the Member commences their Membership for any reason whatsoever. BuddyHub shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from such cancellation.
5.2 In the unlikely event of ‘last minute’ changes or a cancellation by us, BuddyHub will notify you with as much notice as is reasonably possible. BuddyHub will not reimburse any expenses incurred by a Member failing to pick up their notification.
5.3 In the event of a Member failing to abide by these Terms, BuddyHub may cancel their Membership with immediate effect and make any notifications required to comply with any laws, regulations or requirements mandated by the relevant supervisory authorities.
In this instance, BuddyHub will be under no obligation to provide a refund for the Monthly Fee paid in advance at the start or during that month and will continue to collect the Monthly Fee. The 30-day cancellation period will be applied as is set out in clause 6.3.
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Cancellation by the Member
6.1 The cancellation rights generally available to consumers in accordance with their statutory rights apply to the Services provided by us.
6.2 You are entitled to cancel your Membership within 14 days of signing the Agreement. In this scenario, you are liable for the first Monthly Fee and the Joining Fee, however as per the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 your first 14 days of the Monthly Fee can be refunded. This means you will be liable for half of the Monthly Fee and the Joining Fee for the first month only.
6.3 Members who want to cancel their Membership can do so by notifying BuddyHub, in writing, and giving 30 days’ notice. BuddyHub will confirm the date of the Member’s final Monthly Fee when the notice has been received.
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Our Services to You
7.1 We agree to provide you with the opportunity to meet people who are suited to you and your circumstances. A Community Host will assess the options based on information supplied by you when you joined BuddyHub.
7.2 We require full Member participation for our Services to work well and cannot guarantee results.
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Member’s Obligations
8.1 The Member warrants and represents that;
(a) The information set out in the Member Welcome Form (whether or not completed and/or signed by the Member) and other forms returned electronically to us is accurate in all respects (including the verification information you provide regarding your identity and address), and the Member will promptly notify BuddyHub of any change in such information.
(b) They have not been convicted, and do not have any adult cautions (simple or conditional) and are not currently under investigation in respect of any sexual offence, an offence involving bodily harm or violence or any offence involving dishonesty, theft or fraud both in England and Wales and any other jurisdiction (subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) nor are they aware of any circumstances that may lead them to being investigated, cautioned or arrested for these offences in future.
(c) When attending any BuddyHub events, the Member does not suffer from any contagious illness, disease, injury or anything similar thereto.
(d) The Member shall indemnify and keep indemnified BuddyHub against all loss (including loss of profit), liability, costs and expenses which BuddyHub shall incur directly or indirectly as a consequence of any action or inaction of the Member or Member Sponsor.
(e) Members are expected to behave in a civilised and respectful manner at all times towards Community Hosts, other Members and any members of the public who attend the meetings or other events organised whether these are face-to-face or otherwise. If BuddyHub determines the behaviour of the Member to be unacceptable, BuddyHub shall be entitled to suspend the Member from their Membership for such period as BuddyHub shall (in its entire discretion) determine and/or permanently.
(f) The standard of behaviour which is to be regarded as unacceptable shall be determined by BuddyHub.
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Complaints Procedure
9.1 We hope you will be happy with our Service but if you have any concerns or complaints please let us know in writing at hello@buddyhub.co.uk or BuddyHub at Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3DA. We will try to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.
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Exclusion of Liability
10.1 Except in the case of fraud, BuddyHub accepts no responsibility under any circumstances for any loss (consequential or otherwise), damage, expense or delay suffered or incurred by the Member, the Member Sponsor or any other party arising directly or indirectly or in any way connected with the Membership (or any part of it) or any other act or omission on the part of BuddyHub or any of its employees or agents even if such act or omission is negligent.
10.2 The Member agrees (for themselves and on behalf of the Member Sponsor and anybody else concerned) that any claim by the Member against BuddyHub or any employee or agent of BuddyHub must be brought within 60 days of the event that gave rise to such claim. Any claim made thereafter shall be time-barred.
10.3 The Member acknowledges, warrants and undertakes that the maximum aggregate liability of BuddyHub to the Member and/or Member Sponsor under these Terms shall not exceed the Monthly Fee.
10.4 All warranties and conditions, whether implied by statute or otherwise, are excluded from this Agreement provided that nothing in this Agreement shall restrict or exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of BuddyHub, its employees or agents or affects the statutory rights of the Member.
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General
11.1 The failure by either party to enforce at any time or for any period any one or more of the obligations arising under these Terms shall not be a waiver of them or of the right at any time subsequently to enforce all the obligations arising under these Terms.
11.2 The Member acknowledges they have read, understood and they agree to the BuddyHub Privacy Notice.
11.3 We may transfer this Agreement to someone else. We may transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms to another similar organisation.
11.4 You need our consent to transfer your rights to someone else. You may only transfer your rights or your obligations under these Terms to another person if we agree to this in writing.
11.5 Nobody else has any rights under this Agreement. This Agreement is between you and BuddyHub. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its Terms.
11.6 If a court finds any part of this Agreement to be illegal or unenforceable, the rest will continue in force. Each of the clauses of these Terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
11.7 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties. It is agreed that no statement, promise or inducement whether written or oral alleged to have been made by either party and which is not contained herein shall be binding or form part of this Agreement.
11.8 We reserve the right to make amendments to our Terms at any time to reflect changes in our business or statutory obligations. The new version will be posted on our website and will take effect immediately upon posting. If BuddyHub believes that any of the amendments are material it will communicate these changes to all Members by either telephone call, text or email.
11.9 This entire Agreement shall be governed by English law and shall fall under English jurisdiction.
