Each friends1stmember is given a ‘box number’ and other members use this to send letters to members through the friends1st office. We match up your address with the box number and forward the letters on. In this way members can contact each other without having to disclosed their addresses. This makes contact with other members very safe and secure.

For some people who are working in high profile or particularly public jobs, protecting their identity is important. Although their full identity will be known to us, it is possible to use a nickname in the profiles so that the identity becomes less obvious. In addition to this the town where a person lives may be listed as a wider area e.g. West Midlands rather than Birmingham.

We ask for a form of identification so that we can verify to ourselves and others that you are who you say you are. This is very important for members security and safety.

Identification should be something that has your name and address on it, that corresponds to the name and address you have used in your application form to join friends1st. The following are accepted by friends1st:-

• A copy of a utility bill – e.g. gas, electric or telephone bill
• A copy of your driving licence
• A copy of your passport.

friendsfirst registered with the Office of the Data Protections Registrar. This organisation monitors how we use the information we hold on computer. Your details are for friendsfirst use only and will not be given or sold to any other organisation without your permission.