Cookie policy

Last updated 5 October 2026.

What cookies are

Cookies are small text files a website saves in your browser so it can recognise you from one page to the next. This site also uses local storage, which works the same way but is never sent to us. This page lists every one we use.

Your choice

Essential cookies are always on, because the site cannot work without them: they keep you signed in, hold your cart and protect forms. Preference cookies are set only when you use the feature they belong to. Analytics and marketing cookies stay off unless you choose Accept all in the cookie banner.

You can change your choice at any time, from here or from the Cookie settings link at the bottom of every page.

Essential cookies

These are needed for the site to work, so they do not need your consent.

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
wordpress_logged_in_* wordpress_sec_*	WordPress	Keeps you signed in, securely, as you move between pages.	Until you sign out, or 14 days if you tick “Remember me”. Demo accounts: 2 hours
wordpress_test_cookie	WordPress	Checks that your browser accepts cookies before you sign in.	Until you close your browser
um_guest_token	Ultimate Member	Secures sign-up and other forms for visitors who are not signed in.	1 day
PHPSESSID	This site	A short-lived session for member directory searches, social sign-in and membership checkout.	Until you close your browser
ha_uid_*	Social sign-in	Keeps track of a sign-in with a social account while it completes.	30 minutes
wp_woocommerce_session_* woocommerce_cart_hash woocommerce_items_in_cart	WooCommerce	Remembers what is in your cart.	2 days, or until you close your browser
_lscache_vary	LiteSpeed Cache	Makes sure signed-in members see their own pages rather than a cached copy.	Until you sign out
ms_cookie_consent	This site	Remembers your cookie choice so we do not ask again on every page.	6 months

Preferences

These are set only when you use the feature they belong to, and only remember what you asked for.

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
ms-theme (local storage)	This site	Remembers whether you picked the light or dark theme.	Until you clear it
wp-settings-* wp-settings-time-*	WordPress	Remembers screen layout choices in the dashboard.	1 year
comment_author_*	WordPress	Fills in your name and email on comment forms, if you tick the box to save them.	1 year
um_notice_seen_*	Ultimate Member	Hides an announcement once you have dismissed it.	7 days
bp-message bp-message-type	BuddyPress	Shows a one-off confirmation after an action, such as joining a group.	Until the next page

Analytics and marketing

These are set only if you choose Accept all. If you choose Essential only, or have not chosen yet, they are never set and any already there are removed.

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
sbjs_*	WooCommerce	Records how you reached the site (a search, a link or a newsletter, for example) so that if you place an order we know which channel brought you. It is not used to follow you on other sites.	Until you close your browser

Cookies from other services

Some features rely on other companies, which may set their own cookies under their own policies:

• Payments. Stripe (memberships) and PayPal (the shop) may set cookies during checkout to prevent fraud and complete your payment.
• Maps and videos. Google Maps on the members map, and any embedded videos, may set cookies when they load.
• Security. Cloudflare, which delivers this site, may set a cookie such as __cf_bm to tell people from bots.

Managing cookies in your browser

Every browser lets you see, block and delete cookies in its settings. Blocking essential cookies will stop sign-in and the cart from working. Deleting ms_cookie_consent brings the cookie banner back.

The app

Pages from this site shown inside the Memberside app never set analytics or marketing cookies, and the app does not show the cookie banner.

Contact

Questions about cookies? Get in touch, or read our privacy policy.