Modern Slavery Statement for Abbey Wood Flowers

Introduction

Abbey Wood Flowers is committed to ethical business practices and ensuring there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or our supply chain. As a trusted florist serving Abbey Wood households and businesses, we recognise our responsibility to uphold human rights, safeguard dignity, and encourage transparency throughout our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the proactive steps we take to prevent, identify, and respond to all forms of modern slavery.

Zero Tolerance Policy

We have a strict zero tolerance policy regarding modern slavery and human trafficking. This means we do not permit, condone, or overlook any form of forced labour, servitude, child labour, or human trafficking within any aspect of our organisation. Our leadership and team are united in ensuring that our business principles extend to every aspect of our operations and partnerships.

Supplier Due Diligence

Our aim is to build responsible and transparent relationships with all our suppliers, prioritising those who share our ethical values and standards. We conduct appropriate due diligence before entering into supply arrangements, especially where there is a higher risk of modern slavery. This includes:

• Seeking written confirmation from suppliers that they share and uphold our anti-slavery expectations.
• Assessing suppliers based on their business practices, provenance, and previous compliance.
• Working only with reputable wholesalers and growers, both locally and internationally, who can evidence commitment to fair labour standards.

If any supplier is found to have breached our standards or engaged in practices associated with modern slavery, we will take immediate corrective action, which could include the termination of the commercial relationship.

Staff Training and Awareness

We believe all staff must be vigilant about the risks of modern slavery. As part of our commitment, Abbey Wood Flowers provides training and awareness initiatives to ensure that our team members:

• Understand what constitutes modern slavery and how to recognise signs of exploitation.
• Are familiar with our zero tolerance policy and the standards we expect from others.
• Know how to raise concerns or suspicions confidentially and without fear of reprisal.

Information on modern slavery is shared during induction for new staff and through periodic refresher sessions, helping to sustain a culture of respect and compliance.

Reporting Channels

We encourage everyone – staff, suppliers, clients, and the public – to speak up if they have concerns about modern slavery connected to our business or supply chain. Abbey Wood Flowers commits to providing safe and accessible channels for reporting concerns, ensuring that all disclosures are taken seriously and acted upon swiftly and discreetly. Whistleblowers and those raising good faith concerns will always be protected, and all investigations are conducted with the highest degree of confidentiality possible.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least annually to ensure its ongoing effectiveness and relevance. We also commit to making improvements whenever gaps are identified, whether through staff feedback, changes in legal requirements, or shifts in supply chain dynamics. Transparency and responsibility remain at the core of our approach, helping us uphold the trust our community places in us.

Our Responsibility to the Community

As a respected business serving Abbey Wood’s local households and businesses, Abbey Wood Flowers recognises that our duty extends beyond beautiful blooms. We are proud to act on that responsibility by actively safeguarding against modern slavery in all our activities. Our dedication to ethical standards supports the wellbeing of those around us and upholds the trust our customers, partners, and neighbours place in us every day.