Legal | Talk Lipoedema

Legal & Privacy

Last updated: 01/07/2026

Who we are

The Compression Reuse Service is a pilot project run by Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with ACS Clothing and Talk Lipoedema, and funded by Design HOPES. This page explains what personal information we collect when you use this service — whether you're buying, donating, or returning a garment — and what we do with it.

What information we collect

Depending on how you use the service, we may collect: name and email address / postal address / order details / payment information (handled securely by our payment provider — we do not store card details ourselves) / information you give us in enquiries, feedback, or the donation/contact forms

Why we collect this information

We use your information to: process your order, donation, or return / send you updates about your order / respond to your enquiries / understand how the pilot service is performing (using anonymised or aggregated data wherever possible)

Who we share your information with

Because this service involves three partner organisations, your information may be shared between: Heriot-Watt University (research lead) / ACS Clothing (garment processing, fulfilment, and returns) / Talk Lipoedema (platform host). We only share what's needed for each organisation to do their part. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

How long we keep your information

We keep data only for as long as it is required to perform its purpose, or for as long as is required by law. At the end of the retention period your data will be securely deleted or anonymised. We may keep some research data for reuse for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes. We may also keep some research data permanently where this is necessary for archiving purposes in the public interest. We will take all necessary safeguards to protect your privacy.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to: ask what personal information we hold about you / ask us to correct inaccurate information / ask us to delete your information / object to how we use your information.

To exercise any of these rights during the pilot phase: s.murden@hw.ac.uk
For HWU data protection queries: dataprotection@hw.ac.uk
You also have the right to complain to the ICO at ico.org.uk

This website uses cookies as part of the Wix platform it is built on. This site uses a cookie consent banner to ask for your permission before placing non-essential cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using the cookie settings icon on this site.

Questions about this privacy policy: S.Murden@hw.ac.uk
HWU data protection queries: dataprotection@hw.ac.uk

Last updated: 01/07/2026

About this service

The Compression Reuse Service is a pilot project run by Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with ACS Clothing and Talk Lipoedema, funded by Design HOPES. By using this website to buy, donate, or return a compression garment, you agree to these terms. This service is currently in a pilot phase, and these terms may be updated as the service develops.

Medical disclaimer

Compression garments listed on this site are pre-owned and resold for general use. We are not a registered medical device retailer, and nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Always consult a qualified oedema specialist, lymphoedema specialist, or MLD therapist to determine the correct compression class and size for your individual needs. Do not wear any compression garment that is painfully tight.

Buying from the shop

All garments are pre-owned, professionally cleaned, and ozone-sanitised before listing
Condition grades and label details are shown accurately to the best of our ability based on visual inspection
Prices are as listed at the time of purchase
Sizing varies by brand — please check our Sizing & Brands guide before purchasing
See our Returns & Refunds page for the full returns policy

Donating to the service

I confirm that I own these items and wish to donate them to ACS, and I understand that donated items may be reused, refurbished, resold, repurposed, or responsibly recycled
Donated garments become the property of the service once received and accepted at triage
We reserve the right to reject any donated garment that does not meet our quality or labelling criteria — see our Label & Rejection Guide
Rejected garments cannot be returned to the donor and will be disposed of responsibly. By donating, you agree to this in advance

Liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.

Subject to the above:

Compression garments are classified as Class I medical devices. We sell them as pre-owned items in good condition, but we do not provide clinical assessment, fitting advice, or any recommendation about suitability for any individual. You are responsible for determining whether a garment is appropriate for your needs, and we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional before purchasing
We cannot guarantee that any garment will fit or be clinically suitable for your condition. Sizing varies between brands and garment types, and only a trained professional can confirm the correct size and compression class for you
We make every reasonable effort to accurately describe and photograph each garment, but minor variations between the listing description and the garment received may occur
We are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from your purchase or use of a garment, including any worsening of a medical condition
Our total liability to you in connection with any purchase shall not exceed the price you paid for that garment

Changes to these terms

As this is a pilot service, these terms may be updated as we learn from real-world use. We will post the date of the most recent update at the top of this page.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Scotland and England & Wales as applicable.

Last updated: 01/07/2026

Our commitment

The Compression Reuse Service is committed to making this website accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, mobility limitations, or visual impairments. We know that many people using this service may also be managing a health condition, and we want using this site to be as straightforward as possible.

What we've done

Used clear, plain-English language throughout the site

Provided text alternatives for key images where practical

Structured pages with clear headings so they can be navigated using screen readers

Used a consistent colour palette with reasonable contrast between text and background

Known limitations

As this is a pilot service built within the constraints of the Wix platform, there may be some areas that are not yet fully accessible. We are aware of this and welcome feedback to help us improve.

Get in touch

If you have difficulty accessing any part of this website, or have suggestions on how we can improve, please contact us: S.Murden@hw.ac.uk

We will do our best to respond and provide the information you need in an alternative format if necessary.