The run-up to Christmas has been busy for local health and wellbeing charity Westbank Community Health and Care, with a full calendar of events for members of its community and its team.
The festive celebrations got off to a heartwarming start when Year 2 children from Exeter Pre-Prep School visited Westbank’s Day Centre at Exminster to sing a melody of Christmas songs for regular clients.
The following day, the Royal Oak in Exminster kindly hosted a 3-course meal for fifty of Westbank’s clients to mark the end of a year of fantastic support from the pub.
Barchester’s Cumberland Grange care home, in Exeter, got in the Christmas spirit by throwing a Christmas party for residents and their friends and families.
Cumberland Grange’s Christmas party was in full swing (literally) as they were joined by Swing Exe, a local swing dancing group who got the party started. They had residents and their families up on their feet dancing to some wonderful classical tunes. Timescales singing duo then took over with some amazing singing and they also threw in a Christmas quiz with a box of chocolates up for grabs. To help with all of the dancing...
Devon & Cornwall Police is reminding people to take care of themselves, their friends and family while celebrating the festive period in its latest drive to tackle violent crime.
Officers will be carrying out enhanced patrols and a range of initiatives in the main towns and cities across the two counties in a bid to help keep people safe.
In Exeter, there will be additional officers working late shifts on key dates during the Christmas period to carry out high-visibility patrols.
These officers will be supported by colleagues from the Special Constabulary...
Following new research last week from Alzheimer’s Society which found 65% of dementia family carers felt ‘robbed’ of a care-free and joyful Christmas, The Filo Project , a local not-for-profit dementia day care provider is sharing expert advice to help Devon families navigate the festive period and support their loved ones with dementia to feel involved in home festivities.
The busy changes to many families’ routines and home environment at Christmas-time can be challenging for relatives or friends who have dementia. Decorations suddenly appearing, noisy family gatherings and...
It’s traditional to send seasonal greetings at this time of year but a Devonwide health and wellbeing charity is encouraging people to make a donation instead of giving Christmas cards.
Westbank Community Health and Care has launched its ‘Donate in Lieu of Christmas Cards’ campaign, asking people to make a charitable gift rather than spending money on buying and posting cards this festive season.
Katie Elliott, Westbank’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing explains why, “Every donation we receive, however large or small, makes a real difference to our ability to provide...
An Exeter church which is distributing over 700 Christmas food hampers, says it has been overwhelmed at the requests for help across the community.
Rediscover Church in Northernhay Street, Exeter, has run the hamper project every year for the last 8 years to help people who are struggling and in need, but this they’ve been inundated with requests for help, as people struggle to make ends meet, as the cost of a weekly food shop continues to increase.
The effects of the cost-of-living crisis seem to be having a significant impact on people’s lives, with some of the hamper...
In a push to redefine festive giving, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is encouraging the public to move beyond traditional gifts and embrace a present that not only brings joy to loved ones but actively contributes to the preservation of a cherished heritage pony— the Dartmoor Heritage Pony.
Membership gifts directly play a role in safeguarding Dartmoor's iconic Heritage ponies, offering individuals a chance to contribute to preserving our much loved traditional breeds, protect Dartmoor’s landscapes, and champion biodiversity through innovative conservation grazing projects....
Powderham Castle, a historic gem nestled in the heart of South Devon, is set to transport visitors to a winter wonderland with the return of its highly-anticipated Christmas at the Castle event, which this year sees the introduction of a BSL Christmas grotto.
As part of this magical celebration, Powderham Castle invites visitors to experience the historic grounds in a whole new light.
Starting from December 1st until December 31st, visitors can purchase tickets for both the castle and grounds. Tickets are priced at £14.95 per adult and £6.95 per child.
As Christmas approaches, the city of Exeter is brimming with festive cheer, and InExeter, the Business Improvement District for Exeter, is excited to extend an invitation to all residents and visitors to experience an 'Indie ExeMas' this year.
This Christmas, we encourage everyone to step out into the heart of Exeter and explore the array of offerings from our independent businesses. 'Indie ExeMas' is not just a shopping spree; it's an opportunity to support local entrepreneurs, discover unique, handcrafted, and locally sourced gifts, and immerse yourself in the spirit of the...
Four people who are rebuilding their lives after being homeless feature in a moving Exeter homelessness charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.
The two-minute film focuses on the question of how it feels to be homeless, especially at Christmas. “They came along and lifted me up” is one of the many moving statements made in the video, that was launched across social and traditional media on Thursday morning (23 November).
The numbers of people sleeping rough in Exeter remain critically high
Alfie, who lived on the streets for eight years after growing up in the...
