volunteering

Exeter charity issues urgent appeal for volunteers

A charity tackling hunger, loneliness, and food waste by providing free three-course community meals for those in need, is appealing for urgent help from Exeter residents, amid a ‘summer volunteering slump’.

Community dining charity FoodCycle needs to fill almost 10,000 volunteering slots to keep weekly community meals going at around 100 locations in England and Wales this summer.

Among them FoodCycle Exeter runs on Tuesdays at 6.30pm, at the Mint Methodist Church, and FoodCycle Exeter Beacon Heath runs on Thursdays 6.30pm, at Beacon Heath Church.

Each week...

Devon health and wellbeing charity seeks new Trustees for its next exciting chapter

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Wed, 07/09/2025 - 12:13pm

Westbank Community Health and Care, a successful health and wellbeing charity that’s continuing to grow and extend its services across the whole of Devon, is on the lookout for new Trustees who can offer their experience and a fresh perspective to support the governance and growth of an award-winning organisation.

The charity provides a multitude of community-based health and wellbeing services across the county, delivered by a team of staff and volunteers. Westbank’s Board of Trustees, all volunteers, bring their diverse range of skills to the charity, helping people of all ages...

A group of volunteers with their guide dog pups in training stand in front of the Exeter Picturehous

Guide dog puppies enjoy special training trip to Exeter Picturehouse as charity appeals for more volunteers

Authored by emma.tucker
Posted: Fri, 05/02/2025 - 7:55pm

A group of 10 guide dog puppies have enjoyed a special visit to Exeter Picturehouse, as part of their important socialisation training.

The local pups from sight loss charity Guide Dogs visited the cinema on Tuesday 29 April.

They enjoyed watching The Penguin Lessons on the big screen, exploring the seating areas and visiting the cinema café.

Each pup was accompanied by their volunteer Puppy Raiser, who looks after them until they are just over a year old, before they will move to a Guide Dogs’ centre to start their formal training.

Volunteer Puppy Raisers...

Double win for charity's volunteers in the BBC Make A Difference awards

Authored by Sharon Goble
Posted: Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:49pm

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...

Office team celebrating 25 years

25 volunteer days up for grabs as Optix celebrates milestone anniversary

Authored by Sue Cade
Posted: Mon, 07/08/2024 - 11:55am

Exeter digital marketing specialist Optix Solutions is marking its 25th anniversary with a very special pledge.

Each member of staff will be given a day over the next 12 months to use for volunteering with a local charity or CIC.

Optix MD Rob Stevens explained: “The idea struck us as an especially positive way to mark this really important milestone - and fittingly, we have 25 members of staff!

“At the heart of our business is a genuine commitment to social responsibility; we’re currently supporting a local charity pro bono with rebranding and website work and...

Health and wellbeing charity shares volunteers’ stories to recruit more helpers

Throughout Volunteers’ Week (3 - 9 June), Westbank Community Health and Care is celebrating the army of volunteers who are the beating heart of the Devon-wide charity and sharing volunteers’ stories to inspire more people to help make a difference.

Volunteers’ Week - now in its 40th year - is a week when charities across the South West celebrate those who give up their time to help others and say thank you to them for the contribution they make. The week also raises awareness about the many benefits of becoming a volunteer and the diverse volunteering roles available.

Pip...

Appeal for more people from Exeter to volunteer as magistrates

People from all walks of life in Exeter are being urged to consider becoming magistrates as applications open in Exeter for this vital role.

The appeal is part of a national drive to increase the number and diversity of those volunteering across England and Wales.

The Judiciary of England and Wales and the Ministry of Justice are calling on people from Exeter to be part of a new wave of volunteers, giving back to their local community and helping the magistracy better reflect the diversity of British society.

No legal qualifications or experience is required to...

Exeter Volunteer Fayre returns bigger and better than ever!

Exeter’s Volunteer Fayre is set to return on Thursday, 23 March 2023, 10.30 – 2.30pm and promises to be bigger and better than ever!

The fayre, which takes place at Exeter Cathedral , is predicated to attract up to 400 visitors - double the number compared to last year.

It will bring together voluntary groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations all of which are looking to recruit new volunteers.

Entry to the Fayre is free and visitors will have the chance to find out more about the organisations exhibiting and the volunteering opportunities on offer....

Exeter Volunteer Fayre returns bigger and better than ever!

Exeter’s Volunteer Fayre is set to return on Thursday, 23 March and promises to be bigger and better than ever!

The fayre, which takes place at Exeter Cathedral, is predicated to attract more than 50 exhibitors and up to 400 visitors - double the number compared to last year.

It will bring together voluntary groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations all of which are looking to recruit new volunteers.

Entry to the Fayre is free and visitors will have the chance to find out more about the organisations exhibiting and the volunteering opportunities on...

Jade Rouse, one of Westbank's younger volunteers, recommends volunteering

Devon health & well-being charity launches campaign to recruit more volunteers

As UK Volunteers Week begins (1 - 7 June) , a local health and wellbeing charity is launching a campaign to swell the ranks of its existing army of award-winning helpers. Westbank Community Health and Care, based at Exminster near Exeter, relies on over 600 volunteers to help deliver a range of support services to individuals and communities across Devon.

Last year, Westbank’s Neighbourhood Friends volunteers received royal recognition for their service during the pandemic with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This year, the charity hopes to take on even more volunteers...

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