Dawn celebrates 35 years at Czajka Care Group

Care worker Dawn Pearson from Eccleshill, Bradford is celebrating 35 years working for us. 

Dawn, who started working as a care assistant at Czajka Care Group’s Staveley Birkleas residential nursing home in Nab Wood in 1989, said: “Before joining Czajka Care group I volunteered at a funeral home, and I got the qualifications I needed but it was quite a male dominated industry and, in those days, they weren’t keen on employing women. I therefore decided to move into the care industry instead and got a job at Staveley Birkleas, which was called Birkleas Nursing Home back in the 1980’s.

“Lots of my family also worked in similar industries looking after people, so it’s in our blood. My sisters were nursery nurses and child minders, and my mum was also a nursery nurse. We know how to put others first and enjoy helping practically, and I was particularly keen to help adults with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.

“I worked at Staveley Birkleas until 1989 and then moved into the community care side of Czajka Care Group, which was equally rewarding. It was a real privilege to go into people’s homes and help them to feel safe and cared for. Then in 1994 I moved across to Czajka Care Group’s Brookfield Care Home as the deputy manager, before returning to Staveley Birkleas. I have loved working at the different homes and caring for so many residents, all with different needs and at different stages in their lives.”

In 2000 Dawn moved into an office role at Czajka Care Group’s head office in Saltaire. Dawn added: “It’s unusual these days for people to stay at the same company for so long but Czajka Care Group isn’t some faceless big care company owned by a financial institution. Our managing director, Konrad Czajka and his two sons, Daniel and Dominic, are hands on and play a huge role in making Czajka Care Group what it is. You always know where to turn if you have a problem, and they are always there to listen to you and help. There are many opportunities to develop, learn and grow in your career, all whilst helping wonderful people to live their lives with dignity.”

Dawn’s role now involves administration duties, processing company invoices, payroll and assisting with recruitment and human resources.

Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group said: “We’re delighted to celebrate Dawn’s 35^th anniversary with us as she aims to join several members of our team who have been here more than 40 years, which is a testament to their loyalty and our ethos as a family-run, independent business. We look forward to working with Dawn for many more years to come.”