Caring duo set to retire after more than 65 years of combined service at Czajka Care group

Two care industry professionals who have worked at Czajka Care Group for more than 65 years between them are retiring this month.

John Carrington joined Czajka Care Group 35 years ago in 1985 as a care assistant and Margaret Watkins joined 30 years in 1990 as a care assistant at Fairmount Nursing Home in Nab Wood near Shipley.

Czajka Care Group runs Fairmount Nursing Home, Brookfield Care Home and its specialist Nursing Home for people with physical disabilities, Staveley Birkleas, which are all in Nab Wood near Shipley, as well as Currergate Nursing Home in Steeton and Beanlands Nursing Home in Cross Hills. Czajka also provides purpose built retirement homes and operates The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park, which is a members only club with a wide range of leisure facilities.

Both Margaret and John have enjoyed successful careers at Czajka Care Group progressing and developing their skills and qualifications over the years and have become an invaluable part of the business. Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group, said: “To say they will be missed is an understatement! Margaret and John are a part of who we are. They have worked tirelessly over the years, with a sensible and calm approach to everything that has come their way. It’s the end of an era.”

John has worked in the care industry for a total of 45 years, 35 years of which have been spent at Czajka Care Group in a variety of roles including care, administration and as a personal assistant to the managing director. For the last eight years john has worked in a recruitment role helping thousands of people embark upon a career path in care.

John said: “I’m particularly proud of being chosen to be part of a special group of front line care staff that inspire and encourage more people into the industry in my role as an ‘I Care Ambassador’. As part of a national team of ambassadors, which was formed by the ‘Skills For Care’ organisation, I have been able to highlight the numerous jobs available in the industry and hopefully get across the passion I have for what we do.

“Sharing my knowledge and training philosophy with so many people in schools, colleges, job centres and employment organisations has been very rewarding and I will miss it. Luckily because I’m part of the retirement community at Fairmount Park, and live in an apartment owned by Czajka Care Group, I will still very much be part of the Czajka family.”

Margaret came to work at Czajka Care Group as a care assistant and progressed to a senior care assistant before becoming the training officer at Fairmount Nursing Home. She then took on a training role for the whole group of homes, as well as the community care division before it was sold.

As senior training manager she has run an impressive programme of training from Czajka Care Group’s state of the art training centre in Nab Wood, Shipley for 10 years. Providing training for all new staff at Czajka Care Group as well as offering courses and training contracts to a number of other care and nursing homes across Bradford and Keighley. Margaret has been responsible for courses on everything from manual handling to new care standards and adult protection safeguarding.  She also ran the four day training course in induction standards, which covers subjects including first aid, health and safety, infection control, communications, client confidentiality, palliative care and food hygiene.

Margaret said: “Helping people progress from gaining their care certificates to achieving their level 2, 3, 4 and 5 diplomas is what has driven me for so long. All the courses we provide are fully certified and candidates can also use them as a pathway to go on to complete NVQs and other professional qualifications and it’s great to have seen so many people succeed over the years with our support.

“All the paperwork that comes with the role has been an ongoing challenge, but all the hard work has definitely been worth it. The face to face training we provide at Czajka Care Group delivers much better results than the online training and it allows us to get a much better feel for a new starter and their suitability for the roles on offer.

“Working in the care industry isn’t for everyone, it’s a demanding job, especially at the moment with the Covid-19 pandemic, but its part of who I am. Czajka Care Group is one of the best care company’s I have had the privilege to work for, and Konrad has been a dedicated owner and a good boss. He understands the needs of our residents and staff and supports them as much as possible. I’ll miss all the people terribly, but I might be needed to work on some projects in the future, so will definitely be staying in touch.”