How we handle complaints and feedback

We welcome your feedback as it helps us to understand what we're doing well and where we can learn and improve. If we fail to meet our own high standards, please let us know so we can fix the issue where possible to prevent it from happening again.

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The complaints procedure

Getting in touch
You can use our feedback form or contact us by phone, email or in writing using the contact details below.

It's best to raise a complaint as soon as possible after the event it relates to and ideally within three months so we can investigate promptly.

You can share compliments or comments using the same contact details.
Our response
We aim to acknowledge receipt of your complaint within three working days (if you've shared your contact information with us). Usually, our full response will be with you within 10 working days. However, if your complaint is complicated, it may take longer to investigate. We'll keep you updated if that's the case.
Making an appeal
If you’re unhappy with our response, please let us know. We'll ask an independent member of our team to review the investigation that was carried out and the reply that was provided to you.
Your rights if you are unhappy
If you're still unhappy with our final decision, you can have your complaint reviewed externally by contacting one of the organisations listed below.

Download a copy of our complaints procedure (PDF).

Contact us

Fundraising feedback

If your feedback relates to our fundraising activity, our Supporter Care team is here to help.

Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm
Phone: 0300 456 11 55
Email: supportercare@redcross.org.uk

General feedback

If your feedback relates to any other of our services or activities, then contact us by:

Phone: 0344 871 11 11
(or + 44 207 138 7900 from outside the UK).
Email: ComplaintsComplimentsComments@redcross.org.uk
Post: 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL

Our commitment to you

If you have a complaint or concern about our people, the work we do or the way we raise or spend money, we will:

ensure that our complaints process is fair and clear
offer a secure and safe way to raise a complaint without fear of harm, consequence or retaliation
take your complaint seriously and investigate it as thoroughly and quickly as possible
aim to keep you updated during the investigation
make sure that your complaint is resolved, wherever possible
treat you with courtesy and respect
take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of children under 18 or adults at risk, when a complaint relates to these individuals. This is in line with our safeguarding policy.
maintain the confidentiality of your personal and sensitive information in line with our data protection responsibilities. Only those who are involved with handling your issue will be made aware of it
consider all feedback as an opportunity to learn and take action to make sure mistakes are not repeated. If you have contacted us anonymously, we will still look into the matter you’ve reported

Deciding whether we investigate a complaint

Although we are grateful for feedback, there are certain circumstances where we may choose not to investigate a complaint. For example, we might not investigate if a complaint:

uses language that is threatening, abusive or otherwise offensive
appears to be unfairly targeting a staff member or volunteer
relates to something we’re not involved in
has already been addressed and responded to according to the procedure set out on this page
is about something that happened too long ago, which means we can't access the information we'd need to look into the matter.

Please note if your complaint relates to the action or inaction of another Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society or one of our partners, we will refer the matter on to them as appropriate. We will only share your personal data with them after having gained your permission.

Who to contact if you’re unhappy with our decision

You have the right to contact these organisations if you’re unhappy with how we’ve dealt with your complaint.

Usually these organisations will take up a case after giving us an opportunity to reply or provide some more information.

General complaints

Charity Commission for England and Wales
PO Box 211
Bootle
L20 7YX
0300 066 9197
whistleblowing@charitycommission.gov.uk
Charity Commission website

The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)
2nd Floor
Quadrant House
9 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
01382 220446
OSCR website

Fundraising complaints

If your complaint relates to fundraising, the Fundraising Regulator can investigate. You need to contact them within two months of receiving a response from us.

Fundraising Regulator
Eagle House
167 City Road
London
EC1V 1AW
0300 999 3407
complaints@fundraisingregulator.org.uk
Fundraising Regulator website

Personal data complaints

If your complaint relates to the use of your personal data then you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioners Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
0303 123 1113
casework@ico.org.uk
ICO website

Your privacy

The British Red Cross is committed to privacy and will use personal data for the purpose it was collected or other legitimate purposes we tell you about: for example, to provide goods, services or information you have requested or to administer donations or services we provide. We may also analyse data we collect to better understand the people who support us or those who use or deliver our services. Sometimes this means us combining that data with information from reliable public sources.

Our research allows us to tailor communications and services in a more focused and cost effective way, as well as better meeting your needs and the needs of others like you. However, we will never do this in a way that intrudes on personal privacy and will not use your data for a purpose that conflicts with previously expressed privacy preferences. For full details about how we use personal data, our legal basis for doing so and your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Notice online.