Image: Artur Kleczek. Credit: Westmorland Homecare
A 43-year-old man from Kendal who took on a role as a home care assistant back in August 2022 has said he has found his ‘true vocation’.
Artur Kleczek previously worked making double glazing windows in Poland where he was born and grew up. He moved to Cumbria in 2005 and got a job as a waiter and worked his way up to become a restaurant manager at several Lake District hotels.
After working for the Office for National Statistics for a year during the Covid pandemic, he decided to try something new in his career and applied to Westmorland Homecare.
He is now a team leader.
‘I really like to look after people’
“It really suits my character,” said Artur. “I really like to look after people and make sure they are happy and can live their lives to the maximum.
“I had no idea if it would be right for me but as soon as I started it just clicked with me like nothing else in my life.”
‘I have found my true vocation’
“I have found my true vocation. I can care for and look after people and make sure I am changing their lives for the better and you can actually see it happening.”
Kelsey Walmsley, manager of the South Lakeland branch of Westmorland Homecare, said: “We quite often say experience is not essential to work for us. We provide full training but it’s personality that counts and here is our proof.
“Artur completed his care certificate training and quickly settled into the team, paying attention to detail with every client he came across. For our clients it’s not just about getting washed – lipstick, perfume and hand-selected jewellery are just as important to make sure they are ready for their day.”
Artur found creative ways to engage them in meaningful activities
In the beginning, Artur did companionship calls and found out about the interests of the people he visited and found creative ways to engage them in meaningful activities.
“Artur soon craved more and began some specialist training, including seizure training, stroke awareness and basic life support. Artur really engaged in all training aspects and took every opportunity to put it into practice.
“He is a very important member of the community and offers outstanding person-centred care to all of his clients. Artur is a shoulder to cry on, a friend to rely on, a smile at the start of a day and the reassurance needed at the end,” added Kelsey.
“As a team leader, Artur will continue his amazing work with our clients out in the community but he will also support others to develop their skills and fulfil their roles.”
‘I would encourage anyone’ to try working in home care
Artur highly recommends working in the home care sector saying: “I really like the job and I would encourage anyone to at least try it.”
Westmorland Homecare provides hundreds of hours of care each week to enable elderly and often frail people to live independently in their own home.
Its services include home care such as help with housekeeping, meal preparation and personal care such as help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed.
You can find more about different job roles in the home care sector here.
