A care group employee is celebrating 20 years with a Bradford-based family-run business, after progressing through a variety of roles and successfully gaining a string of qualifications that have seen her promoted into the finance team.
Kasia Serwatka joined Czajka Care Group in 2006, shortly after moving to the UK from Poland. Two decades later, she is an established member of the group’s head office team, bringing together her experience of the care sector and her professional background in accountancy.
Kasia was introduced to Czajka Care Group after her partner also secured a job with the company. Her first role was in the laundry department, supporting Fairmount Nursing Home and Staveley Birkleas Nursing Home, in Nab Wood, Shipley.
She then moved into the kitchen as an assistant, before taking the next step into frontline care. Having completed her first NVQ in Health and Social Care, Kasia progressed to become a senior carer, continuing her professional development by achieving a Level 3 NVQ in Health and Care Management.
In 2015, she joined the training team as a training officer, helping support staff development across the business. Then in 2017 she became a support manager at Fairmount Nursing Home. However, with her accountancy training and professional experience gained in Poland, she later transferred into finance, to make full use of her existing skills, initially working in a dual role as support manager and financial administrator. In 2020 she moved into the head office full time.
Kasia is now responsible for invoicing, managing part of the payroll and overseeing financial administration relating to Czajka Care Group’s retirement living communities at Fairmount Park in Nab Wood and Currergate Mews in Steeton. She also set up and manages accurate administrative and financial records for residents following admission and discharge, and liaises with Local Authority Social Services and Integrated Care Board Teams regarding the prompt issuing of contracts, payment of fees and Funded Nursing Care payments.
Kasia said: “I love working at Czajka Care Group and the last 20 years have flown by. It’s a family business where people genuinely care about you and look after you. I have had the opportunity to try different roles, learn new things and develop professionally throughout my time here.
“I have worked in so many different areas and gained a real understanding of how the business operates. It’s been lovely to work alongside so many good people over the years.”
Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Kasia for her 20 years of loyalty, hard work and commitment. She is a fantastic example of the versatility and dedication we value within our business.
“Kasia has worked across almost every department in our business, bringing different skills and experience to each role. Her background in accountancy, combined with her understanding of our care operations, makes her a real asset to our finance team.
“There is also a special connection with Poland within our family business. My parents, George and Stefania, were originally from Poland and moved to Yorkshire from London, where I was born, which is why I speak Polish with a Yorkshire accent! It makes Kasia’s journey and development particularly meaningful.”
