Welcome to Westbank Community Health and Care’s Annual Report for 2024/25. This year has been a remarkable period of continued growth, innovation, and strengthened community connections. As we reflect on our achievements, I am proud of the progress we’ve made in expanding vital services, enhancing wellbeing, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Our commitment remains unwavering: to deliver compassionate, accessible, and high-quality support that empowers individuals and strengthens communities across Devon. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we look forward to another year of positive impact and growth.

I am immensely proud to highlight how 2024/25 was a further year of transformative achievement. This year marked a period of sustained growth, enhanced community impact, and deepened commitment to our core values. We successfully expanded our services across Devon, reaching more individuals and families than ever before. Our Carers Services, in its 27th year of dedicated support, continued to grow, offering vital assistance to unpaid carers, while our innovative initiatives, such as the Community Cookery School, promoted healthier lifestyles and stronger community bonds.

Throughout the year, our health and wellbeing programmes have seen increased participation and expanded reach, providing essential preventive and therapeutic support. Our community projects—such as our Health Walks, Patient Transport and Neighbourhood Friends—have successfully fostered social inclusion, reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing for hundreds of vulnerable individuals and families.

We continue to witness outstanding dedication and longevity among our team members, highlighting the supportive and inspiring environment I am passionate about fostering. The loyalty of those who have been with us for many years reflects the strong sense of community that stems from being part of such a valued team. Our ‘Great Place to Work’ initiative continues to expand, now encompassing a variety of unique benefits designed to support our staff’s physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. January 2025 marked the introduction of our innovative offering of a health-enhancing and life-enriching ‘Wellbeing Day’ exclusively for our staff, ensuring they feel appreciated and supported.

Central to all our achievements has been the consistent embedding of our values, mission, and vision into every aspect of our work. We have actively involved staff, volunteers, and the communities we support in shaping how our values inform our decision making and service development.

This alignment has ensured that our actions remain true to our vision for everyone to be living fulfilled, happier, healthier lives for longer. As we approach our 40th anniversary in 2026, these principles continue to guide us and inspire our future direction, and were at the heart of the development of our new Strategic Plan for 2025-2030.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our trustees, stakeholders, dedicated staff, volunteers, and the commissioners we collaborate with. Your ongoing support, commitment, and shared vision have been invaluable in enabling us to deliver the services and impact we are so proud of. It is through your dedication and partnership that we are able to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of many, and I look forward to working together as we build on these successes in the years to come.

Together, we have laid a strong foundation for the next chapter of our journey, and I am confident that, with this shared commitment, we will achieve even greater milestones as we move towards our 40th anniversary and beyond.

Sarah Hicks, CEO

Annual Report 2024 - 2025