Forty years together

Irene Jest has played a huge part in Czajka Care Croup’s story over the last 40 years. The 76-year-old was one of the original ‘gang’ employed by Konrad Czajka when he first started out in the care industry, and she has contributed so much to the family-run care company over her many years of dedicated service. Irene retired in 2023 and now lives in Idle, but she still makes regular visits to the homes and The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park.

Konrad said: “Irene and three of her colleagues joined our Staveley Oaks Residential Home in May 1983. Before that she was the deputy manager at the Bradford Council run, Whetley Hill Day Centre, which provided day care to young adults with disabilities. At the time Staveley Oaks Residential Home had 18 older and frail residents and Irene still remembers each of them.”

As well as Irene, her husband Ray also worked for Czajka Care Group for many years in a number of roles. Ray said: “We’ve been married for 56 years and have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Irene was born and raised in Bradford and before moving into the care industry, she worked in the sewing department of Brown Muffs. She then moved to Ridella as a manager for its sowing department, overseeing the training of staff. Whilst there she completed her City & Guilds in Soft Furnishing and Soft Toys. She then took a job at the day centre before becoming the deputy manager. When Konrad approached Irene and her colleagues to work at Staveley Oaks Residential Home, they were keen to make the move, as they could see how committed he was to the care sector and recognised that he was creating something special.”

Irene quickly took over managing Staveley Oaks Residential Home and was also instrumental in helping expand the group as it opened The Old Gables Nursing Home for elderly people with dementia-related conditions in 1984, as well as Birkleas Nursing Home for young adults with physical disabilities in 1986. Irene became the senior manager across all three homes.

Irene said: “It was hard work but very rewarding. Also, so many of our residents were pleased to be in a family-run care home, where we treated everyone like family and made sure they felt properly at home. I will always remember one lady breaking down in tears when I offered her a cup of tea, as she said she had lived in three homes before, and nobody ever offered her one – can you imagine that! I also remember another lovely resident who said every night that she might not be with us in the morning – we looked after her for more than XX years!”

In 1989 Czajka Care Group opened Fairmount Nursing Home and started to build 37 retirement homes and apartments as well as opening Brookfield Care Home – all in Nab Wood, Shipley. Konrad added: “I have Irene to thank for that, as she was the one who spotted the plot was for sale.”

Over the many years that Irene worked with Czajka Care Group she has not only helped manage the teams and ensure everything was shipshape and well organised, but she has looked after many generations of the same families. Irene said: “We cared for the daughter and the son-in-law of our first resident at Staveley Oaks for example and that wasn’t unusual. Over the years we have cared for many members of the same family who came to us because they knew how well we had looked after their loved ones.”

In 2003 Czajka Care Group acquired Currergate Nursing Home in Steeton between Skipton and Keighley and then started to build 14 retirement properties next to the home. 

Konrad said: “During four decades of expansion, Irene was there every step of the way. As senior manager she worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for all our residents. There was nothing that she wouldn’t tackle.

“She made sure that residents maintained their independence, so if they wanted to get up early or sleep in, it was up to them – she would make sure the team accommodated their wishes – going to bed when they wanted to, eating when they wanted to and making them feel like they were living in their own home as much as possible.

“Always with a keen eye for detail and making sure everything was immaculate – nothing was ever too much trouble for Irene. She also helped sell our newly built retirement homes, opening them up and showing people round on weekends and she was always there to cover any night shifts, when team members were ill for example.

“Both Irene and I remember all the residents who have lived in our homes over the many years with such fondness – but we do both have a special place in our hearts for those first residents. There are so many stories we share about the wonderful personalities of those that we cared for, and despite Irene now suffering from vascular dementia, we can still reminisce together with the help of Ray, who has always been by her side every step of the way.

“Irene has spent 40 years working alongside the Czajka family and we are forever in her debt. As well as Irene and Ray both working with us, their daughters Sarah and Susan have also worked with us at different stages in their lives, and every member of their family is very caring and capable – its in their genes!

“We would never have achieved the success and outstanding reputation without the loyalty and massive commitment Irene has showed throughout her working life and we wish her and Ray a long and happy retirement. Her illness is something both she and Ray have found hard, but it brings joy to my heart to see them here at The Clubhouse every week – with Irene enjoying a regular swim and calling in to say hello to residents who she used to look after.”