health

Cranbrook calls for volunteers

An exciting series of events is being planned in Cranbrook this year with the aim of supporting residents to be more active and helping the town to celebrate its 13-year anniversary.

The events are being planned by Move More Cranbrook, the Sport England supported programme that aims to help residents in the town to lead more active lives.

And following the success of events...

Westbank's newest trustee Marc Astley

Westbank's newest trustee is a man on a mission

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...

Women now offered free contraceptive pills in pharmacies

Women in England can now get a first prescription of the pill and repeat orders without having to see a GP, in a move that makes access to free contraception even more convenient.

Pharmacies across the country are now offering the new service, increasing choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.

The rollout is part of the government and the NHS’s...

Utilities company supports Devon charity to keep people warm at home

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...

People asked to choose the right service as Devon’s NHS prepares for busy half-term

People in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to do their bit to relieve pressure at busy hospitals by making use of NHS 111 and local urgent treatment centres and minor injury units this half-term.

Emergency Departments (EDs) at all the county’s hospitals are currently seeing very high demand, and many have ambulances outside waiting to handover patients.

Other parts...

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Pub partnership provides £2.5k of support for Devon health & wellbeing charity

Exminster-based Westbank Community Health and Care has reached more people in the local community thanks to a year of fantastic support from a village pub.

Staff at The Royal Oak in Exminster partnered with Westbank throughout 2023, providing hospitality and donations totalling an incredible £2,525. In December 2022 and 2023, publicans Mel Bowden and Scott Reddin kindly hosted 3-course...

What is the Secret to Good Quality Sleep and Why is Sleep Tourism a Growing Trend in 2024?

One of the biggest travel trends we saw in 2023 and which shows no signs of abating in 2024 is sleep tourism, the act of travelling to get a better night’s sleep. What started in 2022, because the global pandemic created a seismic shift that made us all acutely more aware of the importance of sleep for our health and wellbeing, this trend has continued to gather pace.

Medical...

Help your ambulance service this festive period

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging communities across the region to use its services responsibly this festive period, as it prepares for a challenging and busy time.

The Trust is expecting a period of significant and sustained demand across its 999 services - a position that is reflected across other health and care organisations locally,...

Westbank’s community Christmas celebrations

The run-up to Christmas has been busy for local health and wellbeing charity Westbank Community Health and Care, with a full calendar of events for members of its community and its team.

The festive celebrations got off to a heartwarming start when Year 2 children from Exeter Pre-Prep School visited Westbank’s Day Centre at Exminster to sing a melody of Christmas songs for regular...

Give a gift to charity or donate instead of sending Christmas cards

It’s traditional to send seasonal greetings at this time of year but a Devonwide health and wellbeing charity is encouraging people to make a donation instead of giving Christmas cards.

Westbank Community Health and Care has launched its ‘Donate in Lieu of Christmas Cards’ campaign, asking people to make a charitable gift rather than spending money on buying and posting cards this...

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