Westbank celebrates 40 years of supporting Exeter communities

From a handful of volunteers to supporting tens of thousands of people each year, Westbank Community Health and Care is marking 40 years of work across Exeter and Devon with the unveiling of a new anniversary timeline in Exminster.

The timeline was officially opened by founder Mary Nisbett, who returned to the centre this month to launch the charity’s anniversary celebrations. 

Ms Nisbett established the organisation in 1986, then known as the Westbank League of Friends, after attending a public meeting at a local GP surgery and identifying gaps in health and social care support in Exminster, Starcross and Kenton.

She said: “I had seen a friend of my mum’s, who was terminally ill with cancer, dying at home with very little support, and I felt strongly that small acts of neighbourly support can make a big difference – having a lift to the doctor’s, someone to collect your prescription, someone to keep you company or give your carer a break.”

Ms Nisbett said the charity was set up from her kitchen table with a handful of trustees and around 25 volunteers, working closely with statutory services and relying on sustainable funding to grow. 

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One of the first people supported, she recalled, was a terminally ill village postmistress who lived alone. 

“A rota of people helped care for her, and it was such a visible example of what volunteers could achieve,” she said.

Reflecting on the organisation’s development, she added: “It was a privilege to work with Westbank because I met so many wonderful people, and it became an award-winning ‘beacon charity’, inspiring similar organisations the length and breadth of the country, gaining widespread recognition, including at ministerial level.”

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ms Nisbett said: “I’m delighted to be here to celebrate what Westbank has achieved over the past 40 years in serving this community and many others across the county.” 

“I think we can all be very proud, and I look forward to seeing it develop in the future. I’m very proud now to cut the red ribbon to open the wall.”

Westbank chief executive Sarah Hicks said the unveiling of the timeline marked the start of a year of reflection and celebration. 

She said: “I’m delighted to welcome Mary home to Westbank to help us start our celebrations for our 40th-anniversary year and reveal our wonderful new timeline.”

The timeline runs along a central corridor of the Exminster centre, which has undergone extensive refurbishment and improvement in recent years, and documents key moments in the charity’s history as it expanded its services in response to local need.

Westbank now delivers a wide range of community-led and preventative health services across Devon, supporting people to improve their health, wellbeing and independence. 

The charity said it supported around 38,000 people of all ages in the past year alone.

As part of the anniversary year, Westbank will share 40 personal stories from service users, volunteers, staff, trustees and partner organisations. 

Among them is Emma, a 51-year-old from Exeter who attended Westbank’s Exercise Referral Programme after being referred by a physiotherapist at Whipton Hospital following a stroke and cancer treatment.

Emma said: “This programme is completely brilliant. It provides just the right amount of push and encouragement, but in a very supportive and encouraging way.”

Other stories include Paul Gugan and his teenage son Malachi from Dawlish, who use Westbank’s Community Cookery School and gym facilities. 

Paul said: “It’s not intimidating like commercial gyms can be. It’s communal and everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I’ve never come across another place like Westbank.” 

“It’s a combination of the people, the place and seeing Westbank grow and develop. It’s very special to us.”

Malachi added: “Cooking here with my dad has made me more adventurous with my food. I have tried stuff that I didn’t think I would ever try. It’s amazing here.”

Westbank said its anniversary celebrations would continue throughout the year, using the timeline and shared stories to reflect on the charity’s impact across Exeter and the wider Devon community, while looking ahead to future challenges in local health and social care.