As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we have accomplished together at Westbank. 2023/24 has been a year of growth, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our mission of improving the health and wellbeing of communities across Devon. It is an honour to lead this incredible charity through this, it’s 38th year, a year that has seen both significant challenges and remarkable achievements, a year where we celebrated 25 years of delivering a Carers service, 20 years of Health Walks and 10 years of our Neighbourhood Friends service. 

In this financial year, we have built on the transformation and strong foundations laid in previous years, continuing to innovate and expand our services to meet the evolving needs of those we serve. From the successful launch of new initiatives like our Community Cookery School, the continuing improvement and reach of our Carers Services to the ongoing impact of our many community projects like Warmwell, Westbank has remained steadfast in its dedication to making a real difference in people’s lives.

Our successes are a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our amazing team — our staff and volunteers. Their passion and commitment have been the driving force behind every milestone we’ve reached. I am particularly proud of how our team has come together, supporting each other and our shared goals with a spirit of collaboration and community that is truly inspiring as we navigate the complexities of the third sector. 

We harnessed that sense of commitment and team spirit when we embarked on our project to review our Vision, Mission, Values, and Behaviours this year. Recognising the importance of inclusivity, we invited all staff and volunteers to participate in this review. As you will see later in this report, the outcome was a fantastic strategic profile that truly reflects the collective aspirations and dedication of everyone involved with Westbank.

I am continually moved by the kindness and generosity of our army of volunteers, who contribute so much more than just their time to Westbank. I would like to extend my deepest thanks to them, and also to our Board of Trustees, whose guidance and support have been invaluable. Their support has helped us as we steer Westbank towards a future of sustainable growth and continued service excellence.

We are incredibly fortunate to collaborate with commissioners and stakeholders who not only share our ethos, but also actively support our mission. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing partnership and commitment.

As we look ahead to 2024/25, and our 40th Anniversary in 2026, our vision remains clear: to continue expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and for everyone to be living fulfilled, healthier, happier lives for longer. I am confident that with all the incredible people behind Westbank, we will achieve even greater things in the year to come.

Sarah Hicks, CEO

Annual Report 2023 - 2024