AN independent impact report commissioned by Exminster-based health and wellbeing charity, Westbank Community Health and Care, as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations shows the value the charity’s diverse range of services bring to the region.

The report shows the award-winning charity delivers value for money across all its services, including its largest, Devon Carers at Westbank where every £1 Westbank spends saves an estimated £7.76 from public funds.

The report, carried out by Civil Society Consulting, analyses Westbank’s full range of 14 services.

It concluded that last year alone the charity’s work saved the NHS and local statutory services over £22 million through preventative healthcare, community-based groups, and support for Devon’s unpaid carers.

As well as assessing Westbank’s quantitative impact on Devon and the South West, the report also analyses its qualitative impact on residents, how much it improves their health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.

These results are still being finalised and will be released in the near future.

Earlier this summer, the charity marked its 40th anniversary year by achieving a new milestone of providing a lifeline to more people than ever before. Westbank now supports 40,000 service users to improve health, wellbeing and community connection through its community-based services, including Devon Carers, Devon Parent Carers, Health Walks, The Community Cookery School, The Community Hub, The Gym and Community Transport.

Westbank’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, Katie Elliott, said: ‘As the charity celebrates both its 40th anniversary and reaching over 40,000 unique service users across the region last year, we are delighted to be able to start to quantify the impact we make and continue helping people to live happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives for longer.’