The Guardians Grow Charity

Who we are

At The Guardians Grow Charity, we are a gateway to support, a safe space, and a listening ear for those facing crisis. Through The Makery, we provide a place where people can feel heard, seen, and valued—whether they are experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health struggles, or isolation.

One of the most precious things we offer—something so often missing in services—is time. In a world where support can feel rushed, where people are passed between systems without truly being heard, we slow things down. We take the time to listen, to understand, and to simply be there when someone needs us.

We believe that support doesn’t always start with a service—it starts with a conversation. Sometimes, the first step toward change is simply having someone to talk to, someone who listens without judgment. Whether it’s over a cup of tea or through a quiet moment of reassurance, we offer compassion, connection, and guidance when it’s needed most.

We stand alongside individuals during some of the toughest moments of their lives, offering a bridge to essential services, advocacy, and emotional support. At The Guardians Grow Charity, we don’t just provide help—we create a community of care and belonging, where no one has to face hardship alone.

Our culture and values

The Guardians Grow Charity – Core Beliefs & Working Practices

At The Guardians Grow Charity, everything we do is rooted in compassion, dignity, and human connection. We believe that true support isn’t just about providing services—it’s about creating a space where people feel safe, valued, and heard. Our approach is simple: we meet people where they are, without judgment, and walk alongside them through some of the toughest times in their lives.

�� Our Core Beliefs

1. Time is One of the Greatest Gifts We Can Give

• We take the time to listen, to understand, and to be present.

• We reject the rushed, impersonal approach found in many services—everyone deserves to be heard without feeling like a number.

2. People Deserve to Be Seen, Heard, and Valued

• No one should feel invisible, overlooked, or unheard.

• A cup of tea, a conversation, a simple check-in—these small acts can be life-changing.

3. Support Should Be Led by the Individual, Not Forced Upon Them

• We don’t dictate solutions—we empower people to take their own steps while providing guidance and encouragement.

• Everyone’s journey is different, and we respect personal choices while ensuring safety.

4. Crisis Doesn’t Happen in Isolation, and Neither Should Support

• Domestic abuse, homelessness, and mental health struggles are not separate issues—they are deeply connected.

• We take a holistic approach, working with individuals across multiple challenges rather than seeing them through a narrow lens.

5. Services Should Bridge Gaps, Not Create More Barriers

• Many people fall through the cracks between services—we exist to catch them.

• We provide a gateway to essential services—offering emotional support, advocacy, and practical guidance.

�� Our Working Practices

1. Open-Door, No-Judgment Approach

• We welcome people without conditions, stigma, or unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Whether someone needs help once or ongoing support, we are here when they need us.

2. Confidential, Ethical, and Safe Support

• We operate with strict confidentiality, only sharing information when there is a clear safeguarding risk.

• Our team is trained in safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and ethical decision-making.

3. Flexible and Responsive, Not One-Size-Fits-All

• Every situation is unique—we adapt our approach to each person’s needs rather than following rigid procedures.

• Whether it’s text-based support, in-person conversations, or practical advocacy, we respond in the way that works best for the individual.

4. Collaborative, Not Isolated

• We work alongside other services rather than duplicating or replacing them.

• If we can’t provide what someone needs, we find the right service and support them in accessing it.

5. Community-Driven and Relationship-Focused

• We are not just a service—we are a community.

• We foster long-term relationships with the people we support, ensuring they always have a place to turn.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

1. Statement of Commitment

At The Guardians Grow Charity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in everything we do. We believe that everyone—regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances—deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

We strive to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone we support, our staff, volunteers, and the wider community. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusion have no place in our charity.

2. Our Principles

�� Fair & Inclusive Access to Support

• We provide support to all individuals in need, without discrimination.

• We ensure that our services are accessible to people from all backgrounds, including those from marginalised communities.

�� Diversity & Representation Matter

• We value different perspectives and lived experiences and ensure that our team reflects the diverse communities we serve.

• We actively seek to include and amplify the voices of people from underrepresented groups.

�� Zero Tolerance for Discrimination

• We do not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, or any other form of discrimination within our spaces.

• Any discriminatory behavior will be challenged and addressed appropriately.

�� Safe & Respectful Spaces

• We foster an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected.

• We recognise the additional barriers that some individuals face due to their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other factors and work to remove these .

3. Legal & Ethical Compliance

We are committed to upholding all UK equality legislation, including:

• The Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination based on protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation).

• The Human Rights Act 1998, ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and fairness.

4. How We Implement EDI in Our Work

✅ Accessible Services & Support

• We regularly review and adapt our services to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, language barriers, or other challenges.

• We provide support that is culturally competent and trauma-informed, acknowledging different experiences of oppression and hardship.

✅ Inclusive Recruitment & Volunteering

• We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to build an inclusive team.

• We provide equal opportunities for development, training, and leadership roles.

✅ Training & Awareness

• All staff and volunteers receive training on equality, diversity, and inclusion, including unconscious bias, cultural competence, and anti-discrimination practices.

• We educate ourselves and challenge biases within our team and community.

✅ Listening to Our Community

• We regularly seek feedback from service users, volunteers, and staff to ensure we are upholding our EDI commitments.

• We amplify voices from marginalised groups to help shape our policies and practices.

5. Reporting & Accountability

• Anyone experiencing or witnessing discrimination, harassment, or exclusion within The Guardians Grow Charity is encouraged to report it.

• We have a clear, confidential reporting process and commit to investigating and addressing all concerns fairly and transparently.

• Leadership is accountable for maintaining an inclusive culture, and we continually review and update our EDI policies and practices.

6. Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are ongoing commitments. We pledge to:

• Learn from lived experiences and adjust our approach based on feedback.

• Stay informed on best practices and emerging issues in social justice.

• Challenge inequality wherever we see it, both inside and outside our organisation.

At The Guardians Grow Charity, we stand by our belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued—without exception.