“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s a phrase we often hear, and it couldn’t be more relevant for carers. Caring for someone you love is deeply rewarding, but it also comes with significant challenges. Prioritising your own well-being isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
While my focus here is on dementia carers, these insights can benefit all unpaid carers navigating the demands of...
If you support a partner, relative or friend, who could not manage without your help , you may be an unpaid carer.
On Carers Rights Day, Thursday 21 November, Westbank's Devon Carers service is holding an Information Fair at Exeter Library in Castle Street and advice stands at Exeter's main hospital and Nightingale Hospital .
Drop by for a chat about the services available to help you and your rights as a carer.
Making sure unpaid carers across Devon are aware of their legal entitlements is top of the agenda on Carers Rights Day this month, following a report earlier this year that evidenced the daily experiences of hundreds of carers in the county and the toll looking after a partner, family member or friend can take on them.
Westbank Community Health and Care’s Devon Carers service has been...
A senior leader at Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, Westbank Community Health and Care, has won a prestigious regional award that recognises the work of Care Professionals across the South West.
Andy Hood, who oversees Westbank’s Carers Services including Devon Carers, was named Team Leader of the Year at the Care and Support West awards 2024, now in their 11th year....
What can you do when a vulnerable person goes missing?
“Over the past decade, I have heard so many stories of vulnerable people going missing, particularly those living with dementia. Many people have been found, but for some the consequences were tragic.
"Last week Eric went to collect a chinese takeaway for himself and Margaret his wife, who was in the car right outside....
Devon Carers, a free service by Westbank Community Health and Care, is this month celebrating 25 years of supporting unpaid carers across the county and is planning several events throughout the coming year as part of its landmark anniversary.
The charity provides a wide range of support services to those who look after family members or friends because they are ill, frail, or have a...
In response to this year’s Carers Week (5th -11th June) theme ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community’, the organisation that supports thousands of unpaid carers across Devon is highlighting the invaluable role carers undertake, which saves the NHS and Social Care organisations across the county an estimated £2.324 billion a year!
In Devon, approximately 135,000 people look after someone who couldn’t manage without their help and receive no payment for it. Some are new to caring, while others have cared for a family member, friend or neighbour for some time. It’s an invaluable role but carers often feel alone or unsupported, particularly in light of the current cost-of-living crisis.
Mid Devon District Council has teamed up with Devon County Council to support unpaid carers – people who voluntarily provide care to a loved one or friend – to access free leisure services in the district.
The two Councils are piloting a new scheme to provide free access for unpaid, adult carers to the three Mid Devon leisure centres, to encourage them to stay active.
