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.

Timeline:

• 1986: Devon-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care, officially launched with 24 volunteers who made over 800 visits to 150 patients in the 1st year
• 1998: the first carers group was launched
• 1999: we welcomed children to our new playscheme in Starcross
• 2005: our Healthy Living Centre opened its doors, providing services for the local community
• 2007: became a company limited by guarantee
• 2008: opened a charity shop in Starcross
• 2008: launched county-wide Devon Carers Link 
• 2014: launched Neighbourhood Friends
• 2016: Living Well Taking Control achieved national provider status form NHS England
• 2018: Budleigh Hub opened its doors
• 2018: Devon Adult and Young Carers contracts awarded
• 2018: launched the first diabetes prevention social impact bond, Healthier Devon, in England

Today Westbank employs over 250 members of staff and have 550+ volunteers supporting thousands of people across Devon. 

"I vividly remember the Open Meeting which was held at Starcross Surgery in the autumn of 1985.  The primary health care team were keen to establish a group of volunteers to provide additional care comfort and support to those patients of the Westbank area.  So many people attended the meeting that we ran out of seats and people were crowded in the doorway." Diana White (Westbank Chair 2008 - 2018)