Westbank League of Friends was established in 1986 and operated as a registered charity for over 20 years until it became Westbank Community Health and Care and registered as a company limited by guarantee in 2007. 

We work to empower and improve the health of communities and individuals across Devon and to become a voluntary sector leader for development and innovation across Devon and the southwest region. The culture has always had a strong emphasis on the core values of the organisation and the type of people who work within it feel passionate about working for a charity that delivers a local service for local people.

(click image above to enlarge)

Timeline:

• 1986: Devon-based charity Westbank League of Friends officially launched with 24 volunteers who made over 800 visits to 150 patients in the 1st year

• 1998: The First Carers Support group was launched

• 1999: First Children's Services launched in Starcross

• 1999: Young Carers support commenced

• 1999: Community Care Centre opened by Health Minister John Hutton MP
  
  
• 2004: First Health Walk commenced
  
  
• 2004: Charity Shop opened in Starcross
  
  
• 2004: The Healthy Living Centre opened
  
  

• 2005: Kidzone service launched

• 2005: Wheels for Westbank minibus purchased
  
  

• 2007: Charity restructured, and Westbank Community Health and Care was established

• 2007: Devon Carers service launched 

• 2011: Memory Cafe launched

• 2013: Gym opened at the Health Living Centre

• 2014: Neighbourhood Friends service launched
  
  

• 2014: Award Winners, Health Service Journal Awards

• 2016: Living Well Taking Control, National Diabetes Prevention Service launched
  
  
• 2016: Award Winners, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, Special Recognition Awards
  
  

• 2018: Budleigh Hub opened

• 2018: HRH The Princess Royal visited Westbank

• 2018: Healthier Devon, the first regional Diabetes Prevention service in England, launched
  
  

• 2018: Award Winners, Outstanding Care Awards for Devon and Cornwall

• 2019: Carer Friendly service launched
  
  
• 2019: Award Winners, Pride of Devon Awards
  
  
• 2019: Award Winners, Outstanding Care Awards for Devon and Cornwall
  
  
• 2020: Award Winners, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Extraordinary People Award
  
  
• 2021: Award Winners, Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
  
  
• 2021: Award Winners, Health Service Journal Awards
  
  
• 2021: Budleigh Hub rebranded to Seachange and established as an independent charity
  
  

• 2022: Warmwell at Westbank service launched

• 2023: The Community Cookery School at Westbank service launched 

• 2023 Award Winners, Exeter Chamber of Commerce Awards
  
  
• 2023: Award Winners, BBC Make A Difference Awards
  
  
• 2024: GymClusive service launched  
  
  
• 2024: Award Winners, BBC Make a Difference Awards
  
  
• 2024: Award Winners, Care and Support South West Awards
  
  
• 2025 Award Winner, Exeter Sustainability Awards
  
  
• 2025: Award Winners, Exeter Chamber of Commerce Awards
  
  
• 2025: Award Winners, Exeter Chamber of Commerce Awards
  
  
• 2025: Devon Parent Carers at Westbank service launched
  
  
• 2026 Westbank 40th Anniversary milestone celebrated

Today, Westbank employs 132 members of staff and has an army of volunteers supporting thousands of people across Devon.