At Touchstone, a Yorkshire based mental health and wellbeing charity that works in partnership with many other organisations, our first priority is always the results that we achieve with and for our service users. But to do that, we need to support our diverse and talented staff to reach their potential. Recently that support has been recognised by Investors In People, who awarded Touchstone their highest level of accreditation – known as Investors In People Platinum.
There are currently only three Yorkshire-based employers, and nationally just six third sector organisations who are accredited as Investors In People Platinum (figures correct on 2nd March 2018).
In deciding to award Platinum, the assessor from Investors In People highlighted that: “People throughout the organisation demonstrated high levels of commitment to both the organisation and the services it, delivers, their energy and passion for which are evident in the way they talk about their work” and he also described Touchstone as an organisation “which proactively encourages diversity in every sense of the word.”
This latest accolade comes on top of a number of other awards and accreditations that recognise how Touchstone’s employment and recruitment practices help the organisation to develop the best teams for the job.
- In November 2017, we were placed number 1 in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers for the second year running.
And in the first two month of 2018:
- We came 9th in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-for-profit Organisations to work for;
- We won the Discovering Potential award at the Sunday Times Best Companies awards for the second year running – because of our proactive approach to recruiting people who have used our services into paid positions;
- We’re 20th in Stonewall’s top 100 employers – recognising our commitment to supporting LGBT+ staff and service users and to ensuring they are not discriminated against.
Touchstone is not complacent though. Whilst we want to celebrate our achievements we know we can be better, and this is always our aim.