A generous donation from the Exeter Chiefs Foundation has enabled Westbank Community Health and Care to kit out its accessible gym in Exminster with a fantastic new piece of equipment, offering the same functionality for both disabled and able-bodied users.
The compact Equalizer 6000 is one of the most effective multi-gyms in the world. Designed by a paraplegic and fully adaptive for wheelchair users, it allows people of all abilities to perform an extensive range of exercises, from rowing and bench presses to vertical butterflies and lat pulldowns.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s a phrase we often hear, and it couldn’t be more relevant for carers. Caring for someone you love is deeply rewarding, but it also comes with significant challenges. Prioritising your own well-being isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
While my focus here is on dementia carers, these insights can benefit all unpaid carers navigating the demands of caregiving.
Understanding the Value of Carers
The work of unpaid carers saves the government billions each year—a contribution that often goes unnoticed. Yet, carers deserve...
More than 40 volunteers have attended a special celebration organised by Westbank Community Health and Care to thank them for their tireless hard work and dedication throughout the year.
The Exminster based charity relies on an army of volunteers to deliver its extensive range of health and wellbeing services across Devon. These include Devon Carers, which supports around 32,000 unpaid carers across the county; Westbank’s Neighbourhood Friends and Patient Transport services, which support vulnerable and isolated people in the community; the Community Cookery School; Exminster based...
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...
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...
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.
I was recently asked by a client what my biggest fitness tips are for women over the age of 40. The majority of these tips are relevant to people of all ages and genders, so take a look!
Sleep
There was a time when sleep was seen as an indulgence, and successful people would boast about how little they slept. In recent years, fortunately, this has changed. Sleep is fundamental to our health, and should be prioritised for a long, happy and healthy life.
On average, people need between 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Preferences because we’re not all robots
Marc Astley, a well-known local journalist and news editor, is the latest trustee to join the board of Westbank Community Health and Care and says he’s on a mission to spread the word about the work of this fantastic, community charity.
As an experienced media professional and a former editor of the Exeter Express & Echo newspaper, Marc is well-placed to do this. His achievements include co-founding the UK Daily Ltd, a stable of 10 online news and feature platforms including The Exeter Daily. He also set up the successful Exeter-based PR and Marketing Agency, Astley Media,...
We’ve all been there; we know that we should exercise, and we know we’ll feel better if we do, but the couch is feeling so comfortable, and it's cold outside! Here are my top tips for keeping active with your motivation is low.
Modify your expectations
If the thought of completing an hour-long HIIT session, where you burpee until you almost pass out, is just too much, perhaps you need to think about doing something a little bit different. We all have days where we’re not feeling so energetic, and other days when we’re full of beans. Don’t be afraid of substituting your...
100 ‘warm bags’ to keep winter chills at bay are being distributed to people in and around Exminster as a result of a partnership between Wales & West Utilities and Devon charity Westbank Community Health and Care (Westbank).
The bags are being distributed to people in the local community through Westbank’s recently-launched Warmwell at Home initiative. Each bag contains hand warmers, a thermometer, a pair of thermal socks, a travel mug, a hat and gloves, a hot water bottle and a large blanket.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service,...
