Gardening team working together in a community garden

Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Highbury

Gardening Highbury publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking across our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement explains our zero-tolerance approach, how we conduct supplier audits, the reporting channels available to raise concerns and the process for annual review. We recognise our responsibility to protect workers and communities associated with our gardening services, products and procurement activities and to ensure our slavery and human trafficking statement is clear and actionable.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour, child labour, exploitation or human trafficking. Our anti-slavery policy requires all staff, contractors and suppliers to act in line with our standards. Any breach of this slavery statement will result in immediate investigation and, where necessary, termination of contracts and referral to authorities. The zero-tolerance position underpins our due diligence and risk management processes and is embedded in our supplier terms.

A man and woman are gardening outdoors in a well-maintained garden, surrounded by blooming pink and white flowering shrubs, with lush green grass and various small plants in the background. The man, wearing a beige shirt, is smiling while holding a gardening glove, and the woman, dressed in an orange top, is also smiling as they work together. The garden features neatly arranged flower beds with vibrant, natural tones and well-kept plants, indicating regular outdoor maintenance. The lighting suggests a bright, clear day, with sunlight illuminating the scene and highlighting the healthy foliage and colorful blossoms. This outdoor space reflects a thoughtfully landscaped yard, suitable for gardening activities typical of services offered by Gardening Highbury, including lawn care, flower bed maintenance, and planting. The overall environment is inviting, well-organized, and ideal for garden enhancement or regular upkeep in the Highbury area.

Supplier Standards and Expectations

Gardening Highbury expects suppliers to respect human rights and comply with applicable laws on labour and employment. We communicate clear standards via procurement documents and require suppliers to confirm adherence to our Modern Slavery and ethical sourcing expectations. Key expectations include:

  • No use of forced or bonded labour, or child labour;
  • Fair wages and safe working conditions;
  • Transparent recruitment and employment practices;
  • Cooperation with audits and remediation where issues arise.

A young woman in a striped gardening apron and white gloves holds a potted shrub with small green leaves and pink-tinged tips, standing outdoors in a bright garden setting. The garden features a neatly maintained lawn with dense, dark green grass in the foreground, bordered by a variety of shrubs and flowering plants. Behind her, there are taller bushes and small trees, with a wooden trellis or fence partially visible in the background, suggesting a landscaped backyard or front garden area. The weather appears sunny and clear, with natural light illuminating the scene and casting soft shadows. The environment indicates an outdoor space suitable for gardening services, with the woman's gardening attire and the presence of a healthy, well-kept garden emphasizing professional landscaping and garden maintenance activities relevant to the services provided by Gardening Highbury, situated in the London area near Highbury.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We operate a structured programme of supplier audits and risk-based due diligence to identify and address potential modern slavery risks. Our supplier audit process includes desk-based reviews, documentation checks and on-site inspections for higher-risk suppliers. Audits assess working hours, pay practices, recruitment fees, accommodation and subcontractor arrangements. Where non-compliance is found, we require corrective action plans, monitor progress and escalate repeat or severe breaches. Our supplier audit methodology aims to be proportionate and focused on remediation and worker protection rather than simply punitive measures.

To strengthen supply chain integrity, Gardening Highbury uses a combination of self-assessment questionnaires, targeted audits and third-party verification. We also apply risk screening based on geography, sector and product category to prioritise reviews. These measures form part of our broader modern slavery due diligence and help inform procurement decisions and contractual commitments.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We provide multiple reporting channels for workers, suppliers and stakeholders to raise concerns related to slavery and human trafficking. Reports can be made anonymously where desired and will be treated with confidentiality and seriousness. Our grievance and whistleblowing arrangements ensure that concerns are investigated promptly and fairly. We prohibit retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports potential violations of this anti-slavery policy.

Training and awareness form an essential complement to reporting channels. We provide regular training for procurement staff, site managers and relevant employees so they can identify indicators of modern slavery and act appropriately. Training emphasises practical steps for recognising exploitation, using reporting channels and supporting affected individuals in line with our values and legal obligations.

In a well-maintained backyard garden in Highbury, the image depicts a central yellow wheelbarrow filled with vibrant red and yellow flowering plants, positioned on a lush, green lawn with neatly trimmed grass. Behind the wheelbarrow, a white picket fence separates the garden from neighboring properties, with trees and bushes providing a natural backdrop. Various gardening tools and accessories are arranged around the wheelbarrow, including a red watering can placed on top, several small terracotta pots, some greenery in a white plant container, and a pair of red rubber gardening boots resting on the grass. A garden rake and trowel are also visible, emphasizing outdoor maintenance activity. The scene is illuminated by bright natural daylight, suggesting a clear, sunny day, suitable for gardening and outdoor care. This setup reflects typical garden features in London or nearby areas, illustrating a space actively prepared for planting or ongoing gardening work, consistent with professional gardening and landscaping services offered by Gardening Highbury. Governance, Responsibility and Remediation Governance of our slavery and human trafficking statement sits with senior management and the board-level oversight that ensures accountability. Responsibilities include policy maintenance, oversight of supplier audits and ensuring corrective actions are implemented. Where exploitation is identified, Gardening Highbury will prioritise the safety and welfare of affected workers, seek to remediate harm, and work with suppliers and relevant agencies to resolve issues. We will terminate relationships with suppliers who fail to remedy serious breaches.

A gardener and a young woman are in a well-maintained garden, kneeling on the grass among colorful flowering plants and shrubs. The gardener, wearing a straw hat, plaid shirt, gardening gloves, and an apron, is holding a small potted plant while engaging in a gardening activity. The young woman, dressed casually with a sleeveless top and denim apron, is smiling and observing the planting process. The garden features a lush, green lawn with neatly arranged flower beds bordered by low hedges, and a background of mature trees with bright green foliage, creating a peaceful outdoor environment. Bright natural sunlight illuminates the scene, highlighting the vibrant colors of the flowers and the natural tones of the garden surfaces, including the soil, grass, and paving paths, reflecting a typical residential garden in Highbury or north London, where local gardening services like those from Gardening Highbury are often employed for outdoor maintenance and landscaping projects.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardening Highbury conducts an annual review of this modern slavery and anti-slavery statement to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance. The annual review includes analysis of audit findings, review of reported incidents, updates to risk assessments and the adaptation of our due diligence approach. We commit to continuous improvement of our practices, updating policies, enhancing training and refining supplier audits to reduce risks. This regular review cycle ensures our slavery statement remains aligned with legal requirements and evolving best practice.

Conclusion: Our commitment is clear: Gardening Highbury will not tolerate modern slavery in any form. Through a comprehensive approach that includes a zero-tolerance policy, rigorous supplier audits, accessible reporting channels and an annual review process, we strive to prevent exploitation and protect human rights across our operations and supply chains.

Gardening Highbury

Gardening Highbury's Modern Slavery Statement affirms a zero-tolerance policy, supplier audits, reporting channels and an annual review to prevent exploitation across its operations and supply chain.

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