Modern Slavery Statement — Gardeners Upminster

Gardeners Upminster is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct. We declare a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking across all our operations. As the Gardeners of Upminster and Upminster gardeners community representative, our statement explains policies, supplier engagement and the steps we take to prevent exploitation in our business and supply chains.

Our commitment applies to everyone who works with Gardeners-Upminster, whether directly employed, contracted or engaged through partners. We expect every colleague and contractor to uphold our standards. This policy is an integral part of our procurement, HR and operational practices and reflects our belief that fair treatment is essential to sustainable gardening and services.

The scope covers all services, materials and third-party arrangements sourced by Gardeners Upminster. We assess risk across activities such as landscaping, seasonal planting and outsourced maintenance. Where risks are identified, we apply proportionate controls and continuous monitoring to reduce the likelihood of modern slavery occurring anywhere in our value chain.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy and Responsibilities

Gardeners Upminster operates a clear zero-tolerance policy for modern slavery. Any confirmed incident will result in decisive action, including termination of contracts and referral to relevant authorities. Senior management is responsible for policy enforcement, and line managers are accountable for day-to-day compliance and raising concerns when practices fall short.

Supplier audits and due diligence

We require that all suppliers, sub-contractors and partners accept our standards. Our supplier audits include:

• Document checks — verifying payroll, contracts and right-to-work documentation;
• On-site assessments — reviewing working conditions, accommodation and health and safety;
• Interviews and worker engagement — confidential discussions to identify undisclosed concerns;
• Corrective action plans — mandatory remediation for issues identified during audits.

Audit frequency is driven by risk level: high-risk suppliers face more frequent reviews, while lower-risk partners undergo periodic revalidation. We also include modern slavery clauses in supplier contracts to ensure traceability and compliance.

Reporting channels are vital to enforce our policy. Gardeners Upminster provides multiple routes for raising concerns: confidential internal reporting to management, protected whistleblowing pathways and, where appropriate, engagement with independent third-party reporting mechanisms. We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine concern in good faith.

To support reporting we train staff and contractors on how to spot signs of exploitation and how to escalate concerns. Training is delivered annually and as part of induction for new workers. Awareness helps ensure suspicious circumstances are recognised early and addressed promptly.

Our governance framework includes an annual review of modern slavery risks, outcomes of supplier audits and the effectiveness of our reporting channels. The annual review sets measurable objectives, updates risk assessments and identifies improvements to our purchasing and oversight practices to strengthen protections.

Gardeners Upminster will continue to refine policies, update training and enhance supplier engagement to reduce risk across the supply chain. We pledge ongoing transparency about our approach and will report progress in future statements, ensuring that the people who work with us are treated fairly and with dignity.

Our approach combines prevention, detection and response: prevention through supplier selection and training; detection through audits and reporting channels; and response through remedial action and cooperation with authorities. These pillars form the backbone of our anti-slavery measures.

By embedding these practices, Gardeners Upminster, the gardeners of Upminster and our partners commit to continuous improvement and vigilant stewardship of human rights throughout our operations and supply chain.