Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre Hospitality Assistant

Job Description

Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre – Hospitality Assistant

Job Title:Hospitality Assistant

Salary: National Living Wage

Reports to:General Manager – Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre

Reporting to this Post:None

In cooperation with:Other Holiday & Retreat Centre Staff and Volunteers

Main PurposeTo support the offering of programmes and events at the Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre.

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; Openness; Creativity

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.

Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre

Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre (HRC) is set in a most attractive area close to the South Downs and adjacent to a bustling town. The Centre has been developed by Torch over a period of many years to provide a retreat, holiday and leisure base primarily for those who are blind or partially sighted. In recent years under the leadership of Gail Millar we have provided a Christ-centred programme that includes: activity holidays particularly focussed on providing an imaginative programme of activities for blind and partially sighted people; weekend conferences; day conferences; church and group conferences.

The Centre has been extended and refurbished to provide en-suite bedrooms, lounge, dining room, recreation room and a pleasant garden looking onto the South Downs. We provide full board accommodation and an inclusive programme of activities.

Occupational Requirements

Torch is a Christian Mission working primarily with Christian organisations and Christian clients. This role requires that the appointed person is in close contact with our users and/or supporters who are likely to expect to be interacting with a Christian person and may be required to pray and share Christian experiences. It is therefore a requirement of Torch Trust for the Blind that the person appointed is a committed Christian and able to accept the Torch Basis of Faith.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Acting as a Driver of the Minibus (17 seater)
Acting as a sighted guide for outings and visits (training can be provided)
To cover the duty rota
Kitchen cleaning and preparation
Cooking and preparation of breakfast (training can be provided)
Set up, clearing and serving of meals
General hosting duties, coffee breaks etc.
Preparing guest rooms and doing orientation of room facilities to guests
Reception duties
To be responsible for the general presentation of the premises, including security
Porterage tasks as required including setting up and clearing away furniture
Complying with the requirements of Health and Safety, and assist with evacuation procedures
Display sound IT skills
Carrying out any other reasonable duties within the overall function of the job of a General Assistant

Person Specification

Respectful of the values and ethos of the Holiday and Retreat Centre
Good communication and organisational skills
Ability to work independently in a calm, mature and professional manner
Enthusiastic, innovative and flexible
Friendly personality to be able to interact with staff and guests
Proven skills in the area of responsibility
Clean Driving Licence (Customer Service)
An empathy with blind and disabled people is essential
Enthusiasm for dealing with unexpected eventualities as they occur at any time of the day

Contract, Hours of Work

Initial six month contract
40 hours a week. The structure of a week will vary from week to week. Some longer periods of work will be needed but will be balanced by periods of working shorter hours at other times. These will be averaged out over a seventeen-week period.

General

Promote the good name of Torch at all times.
Assist in the promotion of Torch as agreed by the Chief Executive.

June 2015