Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Lewisham

Gardening Lewisham publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement reflects our belief that every person should work in freedom and dignity, and describes the steps we take to reduce the risk of exploitation. Our declaration applies to all staff, contractors and suppliers engaged by Gardening Lewisham.

We operate a clear zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery and forced labour. Any identified instances of exploitation will result in immediate action, including remediation for victims, termination of contracts where appropriate, and cooperation with authorities. The policy is embedded in our organisational code of conduct and is a condition of doing business with Gardening Lewisham.

This Modern Slavery Policy is supported by governance and responsibility structures. Senior management take oversight of anti-slavery measures and ensure that our risk assessments and procedures remain proportionate to the scale and nature of our activities. All decisions affecting vulnerable workers are to be escalated to the designated compliance lead for review.

Supplier Due Diligence and Audits

We carry out supplier due diligence to identify and mitigate risks of exploitation across the supply chain. Our supplier onboarding includes checks on labour practices, identity verification, payment terms and working conditions. We require suppliers to commit to our anti-slavery requirements in contractual terms.

We operate a targeted supplier audit programme. Audits combine documentary review, self-assessment questionnaires and on-site visits where necessary. Audit focus areas include working hours, wage verification, recruitment fees, and freedom of movement. When issues are found we categorise them by severity and implement remediation plans that may include:

• Corrective action plans and timelines
• Independent third-party verification
• Contract suspension or termination for serious breaches

Our approach to supplier audits is continuous improvement: we track outcomes, close non-conformances and publish aggregate results internally to inform procurement decisions. Consistent non-compliance is not tolerated.

Reporting Channels and Protection

We provide secure and accessible reporting channels for employees, subcontractors and third parties to raise concerns about slavery, trafficking or labour exploitation. Reports can be made through confidential internal mechanisms and are treated seriously, with timely investigation and protective measures for those affected. We explicitly prohibit retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith.

To ensure accessibility we offer multiple avenues for reporting and support: internal confidential reporting lines, anonymous reporting options and referral to specialist support services where required. We maintain clear procedures to respond to allegations, ensuring victims receive appropriate protection and assistance while investigations are carried out.

Annual review and continuous improvement underpin our anti-slavery obligations. We commit to an annual review of this anti-slavery statement and the associated policies, supplier audit outcomes and training effectiveness. The review process includes risk re-assessment, stakeholder input and an update to action plans where necessary. Findings are reported to senior management and used to refine procurement practices and employee learning.