Not all good things must come to an end – as Jan Flawn, CBE and Founder of PJ Care, continues to show us.
Eighteen years ago, Jan Flawn solidified her commitment to providing specialist, high quality care to adults with neurological conditions, and founded PJ Care. The company has gone from strength to strength over the years to become the esteemed, award-winning care provider it is today.
Under Jan’s leadership, PJ Care has grown from one 22 bed Unit in Milton Keynes, to 185 beds across 8 Units in Milton Keynes and Peterborough, with more planned for the near future. Not only has the private family-owned business provided outstanding care in a significantly under-provided area of healthcare, but 500 jobs have been created across the centres.
Jan’s decision to step away from her role as a Senior Manager/Registered Nurse within the Department of Health and set up her own business was not without challenge. After being turned down by countless banks and told: “You’re just a nurse, you’ve never run a business before and your business plan doesn’t stack up”, tenacity prevailed, and Jan secured a business loan through Unity Trust Bank (bank of Unison). Jan’s successes continued and in 2014, she was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Jan was also awarded CBI First Woman in Business, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Health Investor, an honorary Master of the OU and countless other industry specific and business accolades.
As PJ Care prepare to celebrate Jan’s retirement and pioneering healthcare achievements on Wednesday 21st November at their Head Office in Sherwood, Milton Keynes, their new Chairman, Neil Russell, Jan’s son, reflects on his mother’s legacy: “when my mother developed PJ Care, she did so to provide specialist neurological care for younger people in a residential setting. I’ve inherited her passion for providing the same level of high-quality care, and that extends through all our staff in all PJ Care centres. Jan’s shoes are very large ones to fill and I have my own way of doing things, but knowing I have such a hugely experienced and knowledgeable team is a huge asset”.
While it may be the end of era for Jan’s role in PJ Care, good things certainly do not come to an end as each of the care centres continue to provide round the clock support and specialist care for those who need it. Jan’s retirement plans are no less ambitious than her career aspirations; despite remonstrations from her partner Peter, her philanthropic and charitable projects continue abound, as do their ambitions to spend their days traveling, discovering the World and spending quality time with their loved ones.
Jan will be hugely missed, but her legacy and her principled approach to care will continue to improve the lives of hundreds of people for years to come.
PJ Care is an award-winning care provider with two centres in Milton Keynes and one in Peterborough. They offer specialised care for individuals with degenerative and acquired neurological conditions. For further details on PJ Care, please visit their website or call 0330 20 20 304.
