Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough
Terms of Service
Scope and Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Welcome to Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough (referred to as “we,” “our,” or “us”). Our listening service is available to individuals seeking a caring, empathetic and listening ear. By using or accessing our services, (Either our telephone or texting service) you agree to comply with and be bound by the following Terms of Service (“Terms”). Please carefully read these Terms before utilizing our service. If you do not agree with these Terms, we kindly request that you discontinue using our service.
Nature of Our Service
Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough is an anonymous and confidential listening/texting service aimed at providing emotional support to individuals facing distress, loneliness, or emotional challenges via telephone or text. We are not a substitute for professional medical, therapeutic, or legal advice. Our service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and is provided in English, by dedicated volunteers who genuinely care about your well-being.
Confidentiality, Anonymity and Privacy
We are committed to maintaining your privacy and confidentiality within legal and ethical boundaries. Conversations with our volunteers are confidential, and we do not share your personal information with third parties except in limited circumstances, as stated below, or after receiving your verbal consent. Conversations may be shared among volunteers, in order to provide the best possible ongoing support.
Please be aware that while we strive to uphold your anonymity, using unblocked phone numbers might compromise your privacy. However, we do not have call display in our office. In cases where there is a concern for safety, we may need to disclose your personal information to relevant external agencies, such as 911, with your consent, or with respect to issues regarding the safety of minors to local child welfare agencies or law enforcement, under the “duty to report.”
Limits of Our Service
It is important to note that our volunteers are not medical professionals, therapists, or lawyers. The information and support provided during calls are not a substitute for professional healthcare, therapy, or legal advice. If you believe you are facing a medical emergency, please contact your doctor or 911 immediately. For clinical or long-term issues, consulting a medical professional is advised.
Caller Responsibilities and Risks
By using our service, either by phone or text, you acknowledge and assume all risks. Neither Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough nor its volunteers, or contracted entities, shall be liable for any actions taken or not taken by you or third parties, or for the unavailability of the service. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless for damages arising from your use of the service, breach of these Terms, violation of the law, claims asserted by third parties, or information provided through our service.
Prohibited Uses and Termination
You agree to use our service, by phone or text, for lawful purposes only. Prohibited uses include violating laws and regulations, exploiting or harming volunteers, spamming, impersonation, interfering with the service’s proper functioning, or engaging in any conduct that may harm us or our users. This includes, but is not limited to, verbally threatening, insulting or otherwise abusing our volunteers and will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to terminate access to our service, phone or text, for any perceived violations or abuses.
We also reserve the right to unilaterally terminate access, to phone/text or both, if we believe you require a different form of support or services beyond our capacity. Our priority is to provide effective assistance and maintain a safe environment for all users.
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, exemplary, or indirect damages arising from the use of our service, phone or text. We provide the service on an “as is” and “as available” basis, and we make no warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the service’s fitness for a particular purpose, uninterrupted availability, or error-free performance.
Severability and Entire Agreement
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough, superseding any other written or oral agreements.
Updates to Terms of Service
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services or practices. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically for the latest information.
Contact Us
Your feedback and questions are valuable to us. If you have any inquiries or concerns regarding these Terms, please contact our Executive Director at info@telecarepeterborough.org.
By using Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough, either by phone or text, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service. We are here to provide empathetic support and a listening ear during your times of distress, and we appreciate your trust in our service.