charity

A senior leader at Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, Westbank Community Health and Care, has won a prestigious regional award that recognises the work of Care Professionals across the South West.

Andy Hood, who oversees Westbank’s Carers Services including Devon Carers, was named Team Leader of the Year at the Care and Support West awards 2024, now in their 11th year.

Andy attended a ceremony at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol last week (Thursday 26 September) to receive a trophy in recognition of his leadership of a team that supports more than thirty thousand...

When most hear the word dementia it’s often Alzheimer’s disease and older people they think about. In fact there are over 100 types of dementia.

However for this piece I want to raise awareness and touch upon one of the more rare types - Young Onset Dementia (YOD) which means the person diagnosed is under 65.

This presents many challenges such as the person may have a young family, be working and also struggle to get a definitive diagnosis.

It is estimated there are over 70,800 people living with Young Onset Dementia in the UK.

Raising awareness is key...

Devon CPRE, the local branch of the countryside charity CPRE, has taken to the road this summer, encouraging people who care about the future of Devon’s countryside to get involved in its latest campaign and become Devon Defenders.

The charity has taken its rallying cry to three agricultural shows in different parts of the county- Dartmoor’s Chagford Show, the Yealmpton Show in the South Hams and the North Devon show at Umberleigh.

Defend Devon is an overarching campaign by the local charity to protect our county’s unique landscapes from greedy developers and bad planning....

A Tiverton man has completed the first leg of his charity tour of the UK coast.

Jim Bray is taking on the mammoth road trip – entitled Exploring Britain’s Coast and Seaside Pubs – to raise money for Hospiscare.

The cash-strapped local charity cared for his sister, Emma Ansley, before she died of cancer aged 48.

Jim started from Tenby in South West Wales at the end of July and, travelling anti-clockwise, has reached the Exe estuary.

It’s the closest he will be to home and Hospiscare’s base in Exeter.

Following a brief spell at home to do some...

Exeter’s new MP, Steve Race, has become a formal supporter of Exeter’s main homelessness charity, by becoming its patron.

St Petrock’s delivers breakfasts and lunches to rough sleepers and people who are vulnerably housed, five days a week, as well as providing a range of services, including survival gear, clothing and footwear, showers, laundry, benefits advice and clinical psychology and emotional support for people who are often understandably very distressed at their extremely difficult circumstances. The charity also provides supported accommodation for people who are...

Leading Devon mental health charity, Step One, is excited to announce the launch of their new challenge, Every Step Counts . In honour of World Mental Health Day in October, this community initiative aims to raise awareness of mental health whilst raising vital funds for BeWell@StepOne , their free mental health support service which continues to be a lifeline for those in need. Kicking off on 1st October 2024, the month-long steps challenge encourages individuals and businesses to get active and support this great cause. Participants have the option to choose from three ambitious step...

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) is encouraging supporters to host a baking event to support the charity this summer. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, the charity wants you to organise a delicious fundraiser that makes a difference and indulge in some sweet treats to help save lives.

The charity is calling upon the people of Devon to gather friends, family, and colleagues to organise their very own Bake Off for Take off event . Be it a coffee morning, a bake sale at a workplace, hosting an afternoon tea – or any cake event you can cook up – the support to raise vital...

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...

Devon Carers is ‘Putting Carers on the Map’ this week as part of an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise their invaluable contribution to society - estimated to save the Devon economy over £2 billion a year!

Devon Carers, a free service by Westbank Community Health and Care, is putting on a host of events to celebrate Carers Week (10th – 16th June). The service is also planning several events as part of its milestone anniversary to mark 25 years of supporting unpaid carers across the county. Over the last two and...

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.

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