charity

Westbank Community Health and Care’s newest trustee, semi-retired health worker Pam Smith, has attended her first board meeting for the charity this month.

70-year-old Pam, from Alphington in Exeter, has worked in senior health service management roles for more than 20 years, including as a PCT Chief Executive. Since 2013 she has worked on a freelance basis supporting general practice, latterly mostly in Cornwall, working through a provider owned by all the GP practices in the county. Pam has previously chaired a small local dyslexia charity and is looking forward to supporting the...

The very popular Isca Ensemble South West will be presenting a very special concert in Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 19th October at 7.30pm.

This fine orchestra conducted by Roger Hendy comprising of leading players from the Southwest, continues to receive high critical acclaim for its performances which feature International soloists.

Roger has been a leading conductor of orchestras in the Southwest, France and Germany for many years.

On this occasion, the orchestra will be joined by the renowned international cellist Kacper Nowak from Poland who will be...

Two volunteers for Devon charity Westbank Community Health and Care have been recognised at this year’s BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference awards, which celebrate people who genuinely make a difference in communities across the county.

Jane Taylor and Arthur Harman received their trophies from BBC Radio Devon presenters at a ceremony on Wednesday, held at Winslade Park in Clyst St Mary.

Jane Taylor, from Okehampton, is an ambassador for Westbank’s Devon Carers service and an unpaid carer for her husband, who has advanced MS. Jane won the Carer award, celebrating those who...

A senior leader at Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, Westbank Community Health and Care, has won a prestigious regional award that recognises the work of Care Professionals across the South West.

Andy Hood, who oversees Westbank’s Carers Services including Devon Carers, was named Team Leader of the Year at the Care and Support West awards 2024, now in their 11th year.

Andy attended a ceremony at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol last week (Thursday 26 September) to receive a trophy in recognition of his leadership of a team that supports more than thirty thousand...

When most hear the word dementia it’s often Alzheimer’s disease and older people they think about. In fact there are over 100 types of dementia.

However for this piece I want to raise awareness and touch upon one of the more rare types - Young Onset Dementia (YOD) which means the person diagnosed is under 65.

This presents many challenges such as the person may have a young family, be working and also struggle to get a definitive diagnosis.

It is estimated there are over 70,800 people living with Young Onset Dementia in the UK.

Raising awareness is key...

Devon CPRE, the local branch of the countryside charity CPRE, has taken to the road this summer, encouraging people who care about the future of Devon’s countryside to get involved in its latest campaign and become Devon Defenders.

The charity has taken its rallying cry to three agricultural shows in different parts of the county- Dartmoor’s Chagford Show, the Yealmpton Show in the South Hams and the North Devon show at Umberleigh.

Defend Devon is an overarching campaign by the local charity to protect our county’s unique landscapes from greedy developers and bad planning....

A Tiverton man has completed the first leg of his charity tour of the UK coast.

Jim Bray is taking on the mammoth road trip – entitled Exploring Britain’s Coast and Seaside Pubs – to raise money for Hospiscare.

The cash-strapped local charity cared for his sister, Emma Ansley, before she died of cancer aged 48.

Jim started from Tenby in South West Wales at the end of July and, travelling anti-clockwise, has reached the Exe estuary.

It’s the closest he will be to home and Hospiscare’s base in Exeter.

Following a brief spell at home to do some...

Exeter’s new MP, Steve Race, has become a formal supporter of Exeter’s main homelessness charity, by becoming its patron.

St Petrock’s delivers breakfasts and lunches to rough sleepers and people who are vulnerably housed, five days a week, as well as providing a range of services, including survival gear, clothing and footwear, showers, laundry, benefits advice and clinical psychology and emotional support for people who are often understandably very distressed at their extremely difficult circumstances. The charity also provides supported accommodation for people who are...

Leading Devon mental health charity, Step One, is excited to announce the launch of their new challenge, Every Step Counts . In honour of World Mental Health Day in October, this community initiative aims to raise awareness of mental health whilst raising vital funds for BeWell@StepOne , their free mental health support service which continues to be a lifeline for those in need. Kicking off on 1st October 2024, the month-long steps challenge encourages individuals and businesses to get active and support this great cause. Participants have the option to choose from three ambitious step...

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) is encouraging supporters to host a baking event to support the charity this summer. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, the charity wants you to organise a delicious fundraiser that makes a difference and indulge in some sweet treats to help save lives.

The charity is calling upon the people of Devon to gather friends, family, and colleagues to organise their very own Bake Off for Take off event . Be it a coffee morning, a bake sale at a workplace, hosting an afternoon tea – or any cake event you can cook up – the support to raise vital...