A Kendal man who has previously made double glazing windows and was a restaurant manager says he has found his ‘true vocation’ after joining the care sector.
Artur Kleczek, 43, of Kendal, joined Westmorland Homecare as a homecare assistant in August 2022 and is now a team leader.
“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.”
Artur was born and grew up in Poland. He was a student at technical college in Chrzanow before spending five years at a company making double glazing windows.
He moved to Cumbria in 2005 and joined the hospitality industry, working his way from being a waiter to becoming 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.
“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,” said Artur. “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, the registered 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.
“Our companionship calls are also vitally important, but they are not just about having a chat. It’s about finding out their interests and finding creative ways to engage clients into meaningful activities and enriching their lives.
“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.
“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.”
Artur was full of praise for Westmorland Homecare. “The office team is always helpful and if you need anything they are always there for you,” he said.
“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 and meal preparation, and personal care, such as help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed.
