How we hold our shared spaces with care

Hidden Beach is a month-long programme of music, food, culture, learning and gathering across Hastings.

To help everyone feel safe, welcome and respected, we ask all attendees, artists, traders, staff and volunteers to move through the programme with care for themselves, each other and the spaces we share.

This Code of Conduct applies across all Hidden Beach locations, including The Oval, Horntye Park, Bottle Alley, Alexandra Park, Kitchen.HiddenBeach, partner venues and public spaces.

Our shared principles

Respect
We treat one another with dignity, kindness and consideration.

Inclusion
We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities.

Safety
We look after ourselves and each other, and ask for help when we need it.

Community
We gather together, support one another and grow together.

What we ask of everyone

Respect and care

Please treat others — including attendees, artists, staff and volunteers — with respect at all times.

We do not accept harassment, discrimination, aggressive or threatening behaviour, violence, hate speech, sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, bullying, intimidation or behaviour that puts others at risk.

If someone asks you to stop, you stop.

Consent

Hidden Beach is a consent-led space.

Always ask before:

• Touching someone

• Moving into someone’s personal space

• Photographing or filming someone

• Recording in workshops or wellness sessions

Never assume consent.

Drugs and alcohol

Hidden Beach follows UK law.

• Illegal drugs are not permitted.

• Alcohol cannot be brought into licensed venues.

• Anyone who is heavily intoxicated may be refused entry or asked to leave for safety.

Please drink responsibly and look after your friends.

Photography and filming

Some spaces welcome photography; others are intentionally private.

• Always respect people’s privacy and wishes.

• Do not photograph children without parental consent.

• Respect any signs indicating that filming or photography is restricted.

• Media and content creators must follow accreditation guidelines.

If someone asks not to be photographed, please respect that.

Care for the spaces

We gather in community halls, parks, beaches, cultural venues and shared public spaces.

Please help us care for them:

• Use bins and recycling where provided

• Leave spaces as you found them

• Respect venue staff and their guidance

• Do not damage equipment, artwork or infrastructure

Accessibility

We aim to make Hidden Beach as accessible as possible.

• Please be mindful of access needs and priority spaces.

• If you need support, ask a member of the team.

• If you notice a barrier, let us know so we can improve.

Accessibility is something we hold together.

Families and young people

• Some events are family-friendly, others are 18+.

• Children must be supervised by a responsible adult.

• Please respect quieter spaces and family areas.

Looking after one another

If someone seems unwell, distressed, unsafe or uncomfortable, please let a member of the team know.

You can speak to:

• Staff or volunteers

• Stewards or security

• Facilitators or wellbeing partners

• The information point at larger events

We are here to support.

If something happens

If you experience or witness behaviour that does not align with this Code, please report it.

Speak to a team member on site or email:

safety@hiddenbea.ch

All concerns are taken seriously and handled with care.

Consequences

Hidden Beach reserves the right to:

• Offer warnings

• Ask individuals to leave events

• Refuse entry to future events

• Involve authorities where necessary

This applies to attendees, artists, traders, staff and volunteers.

Our commitment

We work with local partners, venues, community organisations and wellbeing practitioners to hold Hidden Beach as a safe, inclusive and positive cultural space.

Thank you for being part of this shared practice, and for helping us create a month of music, creativity, food and connection in Hastings.