Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Yellow Door we are committed to making thoughtful, sustainable choices that reduce our environmental impact and promote a more sustainable charity for our service users.
Across our services, we prioritise sustainable delivery models that maximise impact while minimising waste, travel and resource and support online working where appropriate for both our service users and staff. We work closely with local services, partners, volunteers and community groups to coproduce services that respond to real local need, reducing duplication and making best use of shared resources. Most of our services are delivered at our premises however wherever possible, services can be delivered within community settings or through digital and outreach models, minimising travel, reducing emissions and increasing accessibility.
We are investing in our building and have made improvements that reduce energy usage including efficiency upgrades with a new intelligent heating system, LED lighting and windows. This summer we will be opening our new accessible therapy garden, a trauma-informed space where service users will be able to connect with nature as part of their recovery from abuse. The space is full of new trees and plants designed to attract wildlife and improve the local environment.
We prioritise local supply chains, employment and volunteering opportunities, ensuring that investment stays within the community and supports the local economy. By building strong, place‑based relationships and focusing on prevention, early intervention and long‑term impact, we are helping to create a more resilient, environmentally and socially sustainable community.
Financially, we are strengthening our resilience by diversifying income streams and reducing reliance on government contracts, enabling us to plan services more sustainably and invest in more responsible choices.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Yellow Door is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space where every person is valued and respected. We are committed to supporting anyone who has been affected by abuse and strive to make our services as inclusive as possible. We proudly champion equity, diversity and inclusion and actively promote equal opportunities, being committed to challenging discrimination, bias and barriers to support.
In 2025 we commissioned an independent review of EDI across the charity, which has helped us to:
- Create an updated EDI strategy with commitments and action plan
- Introduce internal EDI champions and an EDI group with representation from across the charity and Trustee board
- Ensure our interpreter services are working well for service users
- Provide a more accessible Employee Guide so the staff team are aware of their key rights in terms of flexible working, time off for dependents, self-care and wellbeing support
- Develop the Aspen which is an accessible therapy space for individuals and community groups to use.
Looking Ahead
Climate change is an increasingly significant driver of domestic and sexual abuse risk and service demand. Evidence shows that extreme weather, rising temperatures and climate‑related economic pressure can increase household conflict, coercive control and rates of intimate partner sexual violence, while also making it harder for survivors to escape unsafe situations.
At the same time, these impacts place growing pressure on frontline charities. Service disruption, increased caseload complexity, staff burnout and intensified competition for funding all threaten the sustainability of specialist support services, as resources are increasingly diverted towards emergency response. These impacts disproportionately affect women and marginalised survivors, compounding existing inequalities.
As a frontline domestic and sexual abuse service, we are already experiencing increased demand linked to wider social and economic stressors. Building climate‑informed, resilient services is therefore essential to safeguarding survivors, maintaining access to support and ensuring our services remain effective, accessible and viable in the face of growing environmental uncertainty.
We understand that sustainability and EDI are ongoing journeys and we are committed to continually learning, reflecting and improving our practices so that Yellow Door remains a place where people feel a genuine sense of belonging and care. By embedding these values into our organisation, we aim to make a positive difference for our community today and for years to come.