Devon charity celebrates milestone anniversary
The Founder of an award winning Devon charity recently returned to celebrate its’ many achievements over the past four decades. Exminster based Westbank Community Health and Care was started 40 years ago.
Mary Nisbett is its’ Founder and joined the team to cut the ribbon on a wall-mounted timeline at the charity’s Healthy Living Centre.
In 1986, she started the Westbank League of Friends which went on to become the charity now known as Westbank Community Health and Care.
She realised there was a need for more support in the Devon communities of Exminster, Starcross and Kenton following a public meeting at a local GP surgery.
It’s not surprising that Mary was given a warm welcome by Westbank’s CEO Sarah Hicks and staff when she was greeted at the centre.
It’s undergone extensive refurbishment and improvement in recent years. The colourful new timeline stands out vividly against a black wall in a long central corridor.
‘I’m delighted to welcome Mary home to Westbank to help us start our celebrations for our 40th-anniversary year and reveal our wonderful new timeline,’ says Sarah.
Mary set up the charity from her kitchen table to help local people by providing services that filled the gaps in health and social care provision.
‘I’m delighted to be here to celebrate what Westbank has achieved over the past 40 years in serving this community and many others across the county,’ says Mary at the cutting of a red ribbon to mark the official opening of the commemorative feature.
Image: Sharon Goble
‘We banged the drum for local communities’
‘I think we can all be very proud, and I look forward to seeing it develop in the future. I’m very proud now to cut the red ribbon to open the wall.’
Westbank started with a handful of experienced trustees and 25 volunteers. It’s grown to offer a broad range of community-led services across Devon. The team continue to respond to the needs of people in the community.
‘I had seen a friend of my mum’s, who was terminally ill with cancer, dying at home with very little support,’ recalls Mary.
‘And I felt strongly that small acts of neighbourly support can make a big difference – having a lift to the doctor’s, someone to collect your prescription, someone to keep you company or give your carer a break.’
‘One of the first people we looked after was the village post mistress, who lived alone and was terminally ill.’
‘A rota of people helped care for her, and it was such a visible example of what volunteers could achieve. We also worked closely with statutory services. Securing sustainable funding was key to the charity’s success.’
‘It was a privilege to work with Westbank because I met so many wonderful people, and it became an award-winning ‘beacon charity’, inspiring similar organisations the length and breadth of the country, gaining widespread recognition, including at ministerial level.’
‘We banged the drum for local communities, and 40 years on we’re still making a difference to people’s lives.’
Some of the many awards won over the years. Image: Sharon Goble
Wide range of services
Last year, Westbank supported 38,000 people of all ages across Devon through its wide range of services, with the aim of helping them lead more fulfilled, happier, healthier lives and maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Throughout the charity’s 40th-anniversary year, Westbank will be sharing 40 personal stories from service beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, trustees and partner organisations to showcase the difference Westbank has made.
Breaktime News has previously reported on the awards won by the Westbank team.
