Joining the Journey

The Employment Policy of Torch Trust for the Blind

Torch Ethos The Torch Trust aims can be summarised as enabling people with sight loss to discover Christian faith and lead fulfilling Christian lives. To achieve this we provide Christian resources and activities for blind and partially sighted people worldwide.

Torch Trust has a distinctive culture that reflects its Christian beliefs and has been shaped by its history of seeking to be faithful to God’s guidance.

Our values inform the choices made by Torch, what we do and the way we do it. Our Values are:- Christ-centred, People-focussed, Open, Creative.

We are a Christian mission and will seek to faithfully represent the Christian message in what we do and in what we say but we will never impose our faith or belief on others.

Copies of documents setting out our Values; Charter; Basis of Faith; Occupation Requirements (OR) and Governance structure are all available.

Statement of Faith A copy of this is provided at the end of this document.

Torch - The Story … In 1959 the conversion of one blind girl, Wendy, in the home of our founders, Ron and Stella Heath, led to a search for Christian literature in braille for her. This was to prove largely unsuccessful, however the Lord seemed to be saying to them “YOU give them something to eat” (Matt 14:16). Under the gracious hand of our God, the work has grown and developed beyond the Heath’s wildest dreams.

The production of literature in audio, braille, and giant print formats is now largely computer driven and a well-stocked lending library has been established with books available in a variety of accessible media for free loan. Torch magazines in accessible media go to readers all over the world. Torch is in touch with blind and partially sighted people in over 80 countries of the world and is producing scriptures in several languages. Torch also transcribes the very popular daily Bible reading notes in several media. Many peopleChristian have been resources helped and for blessedblind and throughTorch the House, ongoing Torch Way,programme of holidays and houseparties, and Torch Fellowship Groups haveNorthampton been Roadestablished partially sighted people worldwide Market Harborough, nationwide where blind and sighted people can support andLeicestershire minister LE to 16 one9HL, another. Tel: 01858 438260 Email: [email protected] Web: www.torchtrust.org Registered Charity Number: 1095904 The work has extended internationally, with a base in Malawi (Africa). Torch has other international partnerships and close links with many similar organisations in various parts of the world.

Today Torch is a vibrant and growing organisation. The original vision is being fulfilled through producing and providing Christian literature in a form that blind and partially sighted people can read alongside the support we are able to encourage through Christian fellowship. The future is also exciting. Technology will enable us to provide a wider range of web based activities together and we plan closer links that will enable us to work with those on the sight loss journey will.

Further detail about the current activities of Torch can be found on our website www.torchtrust.org

Employment with Torch Torch places a high value on all Torch Trust people and seeks to ensure that they are safe and working in an environment that is purposeful, pleasant, and cooperative and where teamwork, fellowship and mutual support are an everyday part of working life. We encourage people to ‘join the journey’ as we travel with God on an adventure of faith, as we seek always to do His will and to work His way.

Torch Trust is a Christian mission that seeks at all times to express the example of Jesus Christ in all its work and actions. Torch Trust therefore seeks to set the highest standards in personal and business conduct and in relationships. Torch Trust is prepared to listen and empathise with individual’s personal circumstances but does not seek to provide professional counselling or to replace pastoral care undertaken by an individual’s Church.

People journey with Torch Trust as employees or volunteers. This policy deals with the appointment of employees.

Joining the Journey is intended to give an overall picture of what joining Torch Trust will be like. Specific details will be discussed as part of the recruitment process, recorded in the formal offer and in the Staff Handbook.

Christian Commitment As a faith based mission, daily prayer and worship are an integral part of Torch. We start each day with Chapel time. The majority of our staff and volunteers see their work as an expression of their Christian faith.

All Leaders, Coordinators and staff who have regular contact with the users of our services are required to be committed Christians. For these roles the job description will define this as an Occupational Requirement. Those applying for these jobs will be required to confirm that they are able to accept the Torch Basis of Faith and live to generally accepted standards of Christian living.

Where the work involved is not defined as having an Occupational Requirement, applications are considered from those who do not have an active Christian faith. Staff undertaking these roles are required to be sympathetic to the Torch Trust Christian ethos and to uphold the Torch Trust values.

2 Christianity within the life of Torch Trust Prayer is woven into the fabric of Torch Trust. We engage the wider network of beneficiaries, supporters, volunteers and staff in daily prayer through a Daily Prayer Guide published biannually and a daily Prayer Diary, with a daily prayer item displayed on the home page of our website. On Torch Trust premises every working day starts with collective prayer and virtually every meeting starts and/or ends with prayer. It is a vital link with the Lord we seek to serve in every activity undertaken by Torch Trust.

At both Torch House and the Holiday & Retreat Centre a chapel is available throughout the day for private meditation and prayer. Many conversations with our clients will involve prayer or requests for prayer. Staff are encouraged to take time with the challenges and concerns that often become apparent during conversations.

Consistent with this value is a governance and leadership that seeks always to discern and apply God’s leading. We test our choices against the teaching of the Bible, by prayer and by seeking unanimity after prayer.

Recruitment Process The seeking of the Lord’s will is essential in the selection and appointment of staff.

Torch Trust seeks to ensure that throughout this process ample time is given and good opportunities for dialogue provided, so that the Lord’s will can be discerned in a way that is open, equal and fair. Our experience is that this whole process can take a long time, frequently several months. During this time we will be pleased to welcome you to Torch House or Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre and our Chief Executive and Leaders will be pleased to talk to you. We trust in this way you will be able to learn something of the special nature of Torch Trust and to share in the excitement of working in a Christian mission environment.

The requirements of employment law mean that there are some formalities and paperwork but we will be pleased to help you with these and to discuss any queries.

Employment Opportunities The following are the main areas of activity within Torch:

o Based at Market Harborough

 Editorial and Transcription  Library  Production and Distribution  Technical / Administration / Financial  Regional Outreach  International Outreach

o Torch Holidays run from The Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre based in Sussex and other locations throughout the UK and the world

o Torch Fellowship Groups throughout the UK

o International work in Malawi and throughout the world

3 A team of Leaders lead these activities and within each department are technical staff, support staff and volunteers. Details of specific vacancies are made known through Torch publications, on our website and where appropriate by circulating to Churches local to Market Harborough and in the press. However, our experience has shown that the Lord brings to us those called to the work and whose talents can be best used at a particular time rather than those that necessarily fit into a predefined job specification.

Salary As a faith-based mission, Torch relies on the Lord for its funding. Answers to prayer for financial support have been part of the Torch story right from the very beginning. The salary provided by Torch is modest; reflecting the seniority of the position; level of technical skill and the Mission basis of the organisation. Quoting an early policy about the Torch salary ‘it is only enough for simple living. It gives ample opportunity for staff to exercise faith in the Lord for additional things...’

The level of funding into Torch changes constantly; Torch People are invited to share in the sometimes challenging nature of this journey by joining in corporate and individual prayer.

The salary for any particular role will be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

Hours of Work The workload in Torch Trust varies as does giving. Torch Trust therefore operates a flexible working policy. All staff are employed on a standard working hours basis with the flexibility to increase or decrease these hours within agreed limits. Specific details will be discussed but in normal circumstances the difference between minimum and maximum is not more than 15%. Extra time worked will be paid at the agreed hourly rate.

Standard hours of work at Torch House are 9.00am to 5.00pm with a lunch period between 1.00pm and 1.45pm. (36.25 hours a week).

Torch Trust is flexible in its approach to the individual’s standard contractual hours of work and it is often possible to provide part time employment opportunities. We will be pleased to discuss an individual’s particular desires or requirements.

The hours of work at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre and in the Regional Outreach Department are more varied and require a very flexible approach. Full details will be discussed with applicants for vacancies for these roles.

Personal Support Several members of our staff are financially supported in the Torch Trust mission work by friends and colleagues to augment their salary. Torch will be pleased to work with staff on this, should you feel that to be appropriate.

Annual Review

As part of the Torch Trust policy to encourage and develop all staff a review will be held regularly, usually annually. The purpose of this is to ensure that individuals are content in their role, to identify areas for development and training and to provide opportunity for the employee to discuss changes to roles and responsibilities.

4 Training Torch Trust is committed to suitable induction and on-going training. This basic training will be supplemented as appropriate and subject to funds being available to enable employees to develop skills and gifts.

Events Torch Trust is represented at various events and functions at weekends and evenings; where appropriate employees will be encouraged to take part in these activities. Where specifically agreed, time off in lieu will be allowed in compensation for significant additional work.

Holidays Full time staff are entitled to a total of thirty-three days paid holiday per year, including Bank Holidays (there are normally eight of these). Employees joining during the holiday year or working part time will have pro-rata entitlement (rounded up to the nearest half day). The holiday year runs from March 1st to February 28th.

Arrangements for taking holidays are to be discussed with the Leader so that we can ensure appropriate cover.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 The disclosure of a conviction does not automatically exclude applicants from consideration. You will be required to disclose any unspent convictions, outstanding summons or prosecutions

As the work with Torch Trust may bring you into contact with vulnerable adults or children you may be required to apply for Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. For all roles within the Trust you will be required to disclose details of any criminal records to the Trust.

Sick Leave After 6 months employment with Torch Trust the Trust will pay full salary for 13 weeks sick leave. Sick pay during the first 6 month’s employment will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Torch may request a medical examination and report before offering employment and during employment with Torch Trust.

Pension Scheme Employees have the opportunity to join the Trust’s Stakeholder pension scheme, details of which are available on request. Torch Trust does not contribute to this scheme.

Expenses Costs incurred solely for the benefit of Torch Trust will be reimbursed. Mileage will be paid, currently at 45p per mile. In accordance with Inland Revenue rulings mileage to and from home is not a business expense.

Resignation When employment comes to an end, the notice period to be given is to be in accordance with current employment law.

5 Privacy policy Full details of our Privacy Policy are given on our website. Copies of all employment documentation are retained in hard copy in a secure cabinet. Documents from applicants who were not successful will be retained for 6 months. The information provided will be used for employment purposes only.

Separate Procedures / Policies Separate documents cover:  The Staff Handbook and Health and Safety Policy – copies of which will be available.  Safeguarding.

Copies of the following will be made available on request  Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures  Equal Opportunities  Protection of Vulnerable People  Privacy Policy

22nd January 2013 (e)

6 The Torch Trust for the Blind. Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9HL A charity registered in England and Wales no 1095904. A company limited by guarantee no 4616526.

TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND

Basis of Faith The Torch Trust’s objects are the relief and support of blind and partially sighted people in accordance with the following basis of faith.

 Christians accept the revelation of the true God given in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and confess the historic faith of the Gospel therein set forth. They here assert doctrines which they regard as crucial to the understanding of the faith, and which should issue in mutual love, practical Christian service and evangelistic concern.  The sovereignty and grace of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in creation, providence, revelation, redemption and final judgment.  The divine inspiration of the Holy Scripture and its consequent entire trustworthiness and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct  The universal sinfulness and guilt of fallen man, making him subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.  The substitutionary sacrifice of the incarnate Son of God as the sole and all- sufficient ground of redemption from the guilt and power of sin, and from its eternal consequences.  The justification of the sinner solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ crucified and risen from the dead.  The illuminating, regenerating, indwelling and sanctifying work of God the Holy Spirit.  The priesthood of all believers, who form the universal Church, the Body of which Christ is the Head, and which is committed by His command to the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the world.  The expectation of the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ, in power and glory.