Training is provided to support our staff and volunteers to be safe and effective in their roles. Please make the most of these opportunities and let us know if you think there are other courses that would be valuable. All training is free to the end user.

Adult Safeguarding

It is mandatory that everyone attend an adult safeguarding training session and refresh this training every 3 years. This can be provided by any competent organisation – just forward a copy of your certificate. This training will be arranged in partnership with other local charities, and you will be notified when these sessions are available. Email for details: office@torchhub.org.uk

Child Safeguarding

Whilst at the moment this training is not mandatory we would encourage anyone who has regular contact with children and young people up to the age of 17 to attend such training when it is available. This training will be arranged in partnership with other local charities, and you will be notified when these sessions are available. Email for details: office@torchhub.org.uk

Torch Inductions

Everyone who become a volunteer or member of staff with Torch is invited to join an Induction Training session that will ensure you can be an effective volunteer and great ambassador for Torch. Topic covered include Vision for Torch, Recent developments and future plans, Our relational approach, Recent stories, Understand the Process and Procedures, Ensure you and our clients stay safe, Discuss and answer your queries plus Get to know one another. You will be notified when these sessions are available. Email for details: office@torchhub.org.uk

Trauma Informed Support

Many of the clients we support struggle as they face multiple issues that we might find challenging to engage with. Often these are due to external factors, poor choices, trauma and abusive relationships. We really want to see all these people flourishing but we need help to understand and respond appropriately. Please take just 10 mins to view this really helpful video on the topic of Trauma Informed Practice produced by NHS Scotland. It aims to help support workers like us to know how to adapt the way they work to make a positive difference to people affected by trauma and adversity. It has some insights that will inform your prayers.

Manual Lifting

We all need to take care of ourselves when doing practical tasks for Torch. We have a Health & Safety Policy should you wish to know more about our approach but when it comes to lifting here are two keys pointers to ensure that you stay safe.

Decluttering of Homes

For those who have an interest in supporting people with decluttering their homes here is some helpful training and guidance:

Recognising Signs of Abuse

In our interactions with clients, we may encounter the signs of abuse and neglect and be ready to know what to do next.

You may not know. It is enough that you are worried. If you are concerned that an adult is being abused or neglected, you should report it to the Police or Adult Social Care without delay. In an emergency contact the Police on 999. If you think there has been a crime but it is not an emergency, call 101.

Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults Board have produced a helpful short video on spotting the signs of abuse and neglect which can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrmiJZ6yL8

In summary:

  • You may become concerned that someone is being abused in a number of ways: the person may tell you, the person may say something that worries you, you may see something – an incident or an injury or other sign.
  • You might see and/or hear something happen: someone being bullied or intimidated, someone being made to feel frightened or unhappy, someone in a situation of unnecessary risk.
  • The person or somebody else might say something that gives cause for concern, for example: a colleague, family member, member of the public.
  • There might be physical signs or unexplained or unusual injuries: bruises, slap marks, black eyes, bleeding, burns or scalding, cigarette marks, torn, stained or blood-stained clothes.
  • There may be other signs such as: inappropriate, dirty or soiled clothes, no food or drink available for the person, bills not being paid or services, e.g. telephone cut off, shortage of money.
  • The person might say things or behave in a way that causes you concern: the person may seem unhappy or distressed, the person may appear frightened, anxious or agitated without an obvious cause, or in relation to certain people, have sleeping problems, constant visits to the toilet without a medical reason, other unexplained changes in how the person behaves.
  • The behaviour of a colleague or other person might cause concern: dismissive or intolerant attitude, task/routine orientated rather than person focused, not a team player; insists on doing tasks on their own or in their way; secretive about contact with clients, oversteps professional boundaries with clients and colleagues, maybe overfriendly; neglects professional development.

You may not know. It is enough that you are worried. If you are concerned that an adult is being abused or neglected, you should report it to the Police or Adult Social Care without delay. In an emergency contact the Police on 999. If you think there has been a crime but it is not an emergency, call 101.