Modern Slavery Statement for Gardening Bow

Gardening Bow is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all aspects of our operations. This modern slavery statement sets out our approach, obligations and the steps we take to ensure that slavery and human trafficking have no place in our business or supply chains. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, child labour and any form of exploitation.

Our Commitment and Policy

Gardening Bow’s anti-slavery policy reflects our values and legal obligations. We require all staff and partners to understand and comply with this slavery and human trafficking statement. Our leadership team has endorsed a clear zero-tolerance approach: any confirmed breach will lead to termination of contracts, disciplinary measures and cooperation with relevant authorities where appropriate.

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a red checkered shirt and black trousers, is engaged in gardening in an outdoor space, kneeling among a variety of colorful plants and shrubs with yellow, green, and purple foliage. In the background, there is a grey wheelbarrow filled with soil and small potted plants, positioned on a paved surface. Several terracotta plant pots are placed on the ground nearby, indicating active gardening work. The garden features a neatly arranged flower bed with a mix of flowering and leafy plants, bordered by paving slabs. The natural lighting suggests a clear day, enhancing the natural tones of the garden elements, which include grassed areas, soil patches, and diverse plant textures, supporting local gardening and landscaping services in the area near Bow or Tower Hamlets. Gardening Bow's professionalism is reflected in the meticulous attention to garden detail and plant health, capturing a scene of active outdoor maintenance and horticultural care.

Scope and Responsibilities

This modern slavery policy covers Gardening Bow’s direct employees, subcontractors, temporary staff and third-party suppliers. Responsibility for implementation rests with senior management who oversee due diligence, training and monitoring activities. Managers are required to escalate any concerns promptly and to support victims who may be identified during any investigation.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a large straw sunhat, red and black checkered shirt, and gardening gloves is kneeling in a lush, green garden. She is smiling at the camera while tending to a large, shallow flower bed filled with a variety of blooming plants, predominantly yellow, white, and purple flowers. The garden features a well-maintained grassy lawn in the foreground, with mature trees and dense shrubbery in the background, providing a natural, thriving outdoor environment typical of a residential garden in the UK. The area appears sunlit with natural daylight, highlighting the healthy plants and vibrant colours, suggesting a mild, pleasant weather day. The scene exemplifies outdoor gardening activities, with Gardening Bow specialising in comprehensive gardening services to maintain such landscaped spaces, incorporating elements like lawn care, flower bed management, and general garden upkeep, all contributing to the natural beauty and functional outdoor space typical of gardens in the vicinity of [POSTCODE] and [TOWN].

Supplier Expectations and Audits

We expect suppliers and partners to adhere to our standards. Our supplier code of conduct includes explicit anti-slavery provisions and forms part of contractual terms. We operate a risk-based audit programme that includes:

regular supplier questionnaires and self-assessments;
on-site and remote supplier audits conducted by trained auditors;
third-party due diligence checks for high-risk suppliers and geographies.

Audit findings are documented and required remediation actions are tracked until completion. Repeat non-compliance leads to contract review and potential termination.

Due Diligence Measures

Our due diligence incorporates risk mapping across the supply chain, focusing on higher-risk categories such as labour-sourcing, seasonal work and logistics. We assess recruitment practices, wage payment processes and working conditions. Where issues are identified we implement corrective action plans, provide capacity building and, where necessary, substitute suppliers who fail to improve.

Reporting Channels and Protection

Gardening Bow maintains secure reporting channels for concerns about modern slavery. We promote multiple safe and confidential ways to raise issues, including anonymous reporting mechanisms. All reports are treated seriously; they are investigated promptly, confidentially and with sensitivity to the welfare of potential victims.

A professional gardener from Gardening Bow standing outdoors in a lush, well-maintained garden with a variety of green plants, shrubs, and trees. The garden features a neatly trimmed lawn with dense, healthy grass, bordered by flower beds and hedges. In the background, there are tall trees providing shade and natural coverage, creating a tranquil garden environment typical of properties in the [POSTCODE] area near [TOWN]. The gardener is smiling, dressed in a grey cap, a white short-sleeved shirt, and an apron, with gardening tools visible in their hands, indicating active outdoor maintenance work. Natural sunlight illuminates the scene, highlighting the vibrant greens and earthy tones of the garden surfaces, including paving stones and soil patches. The overall setting reflects a well-organised outdoor space suitable for garden services such as lawn care, hedge trimming, and general landscaping, with a strong visual emphasis on lush greenery and tidy landscaping around the property, consistent with the professional standards of Gardening Bow.

Whistleblowing and Support

We protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Employees and external parties can report suspected slavery or trafficking without fear of retribution. Reports trigger a proportionate response: immediate risk assessment, liaison with safeguarding partners and, if appropriate, referral to law enforcement or specialist support services. We commit to providing support to affected individuals and facilitating recovery where needed.

Training, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Training is provided across the business to raise awareness of the modern slavery risks and to ensure staff know how to report concerns. We monitor performance through key performance indicators, audit results and supply chain assessments. Continuous improvement is driven by lessons learned, stakeholder engagement and alignment with evolving best practice. Strong leadership and stakeholder collaboration underpin our efforts.

A woman in a pink and white striped top is engaged in gardening activities in an outdoor garden space, accompanied by a young girl in a pink headscarf and a boy in a yellow top with green overalls. They are working together around a collection of potted plants, which include flowering plants and herbs, set on a wooden garden table. The garden features a well-maintained lawn with lush, green grass, and the background includes mature trees with textured bark and leafy foliage providing shade. Flower beds border the lawn, containing a variety of plants and flowers in natural tones, such as purple, green, and yellow. The scene is illuminated by soft natural daylight, suggesting a calm, mild weather day, and the outdoor environment appears to be a private, landscaped backyard typical of residential properties in the UK. Gardening services by Gardening Bow could include plant care, lawn maintenance, and outdoor space landscaping, all contributing to a vibrant and well-kept garden environment.

Annual Review and Transparency

Gardening Bow will review this modern slavery statement annually to assess effectiveness, update risk assessments and refine our supplier audit programme. The review will consider new intelligence, audit outcomes and changes in our operations. We will report on progress and actions taken while protecting confidentiality of individuals involved. In closing, we reiterate our zero-tolerance policy and our ongoing commitment to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking from our business and supply chains.