Festival safeguarding

Heritage Open Days (HODs) is a grass-roots project, so each event is organised and run by local individuals, groups and organisations – their passion makes the festival magic happen! Events are not assessed in detail by the national coordinators. Event listings are updated regularly but may not cover all changes.

Anyone under the age of 16 must have an adult present to ensure their wellbeing and safety. Whilst HODs support local organisers to plan and promote activities, we do not process DBS or other security checks. Local volunteers may have, and must take responsibility for, their own security check.

All visiting adults and carers must be responsible for their children or anyone considered an adult at risk, at all times – for both online and in-person events.

We are committed to creating a community and providing a festival that is welcoming for all at every stage. As such everyone involved, be it staff, volunteers, partners, organisers, volunteers, or attendees, must abide by this code of conduct.

Everyone involved will:

• Help create a festival built on mutual respect, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.
• Be welcoming, treating everyone with kindness, respect and dignity.
• Be aware of and respect people's boundaries, which can be different for each person.

Local organisers / coordinators will additionally:

• Provide clear and relevant information in their event entries, updating on any changes as soon as possible.
• Ensure appropriate measures are in place for the safety and wellbeing of participants, including those for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns.

The national team will additionally:

• Provide relevant information to support organisers/coordinators in a way that’s clear and accessible.
• Provide channels for feedback and make time to listen and respond.

If someone is at immediate risk of significant harm, call 999.

If you are concerned about the conduct, behaviour or actions of any person involved in HODs or you have concerns that someone is at risk of harm or abuse, please contact the leader of the local event in the first instance. Then notify us, the national team, so that we can support as relevant and needed on [email protected].

We reserve the right to exclude any individual or organisation from participating in the festival if they violate our code of conduct. We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, discrimination and unsafe behaviour.

If we have to exclude any individual or organisation we will notify them in writing. If you wish to dispute your exclusion you can follow our complaints procedure.