Parish Council grant provides new home for Westbank’s Community Larder in Exminster

Exminster’s Community Larder, provided by local health and wellbeing charity Westbank Community Health and Care, has a new weatherproof home thanks to a £200 grant from Exminster Parish Council. The money has enabled Westbank to purchase a waterproof unit to house a Community Larder that’s open 24/7 next to Exminster Methodist Church.

To mark the official opening of the facility, the village’s Methodist minister, Reverend Donna Leigh, conducted a blessing in the presence of a representative of Exminster Parish Council and Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services.

In 2025/2026, Westbank supported more than 1,200 attendances across its three Community Larders - in the centre of Exminster Village, at the charity’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster and in the neighbouring village of Starcross. The larders are stocked through generous donations from members of the community, Exeter Food Action and by several suppliers, including Fareshare and supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury as part of the Neighbourly partnership.

Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr. Kevin Smith said, “Exminster Parish Council was delighted to give Westbank Community Health and Care a grant so that the charity could continue to offer a Community larder in the centre of Exminster that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This will provide essential support to Exminster residents who are in need.”

Sarah Benthall, Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services, said, “Our Community Larders are open to everyone. Thanks to the Parish Council’s support, the larder beside the Methodist Church in the centre of Exminster is now open every day for people to help themselves to provisions. Our other two larders are staffed by our amazing volunteers, who are on hand to offer assistance at the Healthy Living Centre, Monday to Friday from 10-4, and in Starcross every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

“Demand for our Larders continues to increase, and we are actively seeking further support  - monetary donations and regular donations of food would be very gratefully received and help us continue to support our community. We’d also love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering with us.”

For more information about Westbank’s Community Larders and volunteering or fundraising opportunities, visit: www.westbank.org.uk

Photo (left to right) Methodist minister, The Reverend Donna Leigh, Chair of Exminster Parish Council, Kevin Smith, and Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services Sarah Benthall