‘’Warmwell is more than a warm space - it’s a place of belonging and connection’’

Warmwell at Westbank in Exeter opened in November 2022, initially launched in response to the cost-of-living crisis, it has evolved to address loneliness in the community, bringing people together to share a cuppa and conversation. Warmwell is a cosy home-from-home within a larger, communal space - Westbank’s vibrant Community Hub. Refurbished last year, the venue hosts an ever-growing number of activities and clubs, complementing and enhancing the experience of guests.

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‘’Warmwell’s role as a Community Connector begins the moment people come through the door’’

Westbank’s friendly staff and volunteers greet them with a smile and the offer of a drink and biscuit or bowl of soup in winter. They are also on hand to offer general support and signpost visitors to other services, including three Community Larders.

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Warmwell and the Community Hub are connected to other local organisations through educational partnerships (local primary schools and Exeter University), Citizens’ Advice, Fire and Rescue and Social Prescribing and healthcare providers. These key partnerships are of the utmost importance and make the space the ultimate Community Connector.

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Whether someone is seeking a refuge or a sense of purpose, they will find it within Westbank’s Community Hub. With its extensive outreach and ever-evolving partnerships, the Community Hub at Westbank provides a year-round gathering space with community-driven activities, connecting people of all ages, many of whom experience loneliness. 

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Since early February, a visually-impaired young woman has been with us on an internship for 15-20 hours a week. She comes with her carer and has found the experience life enhancing: “I really enjoy making teas, chatting and playing Scrabble with people in the Hub. I love talking about holidays. I have been learning about other countries with some books from the cupboard. I wanted to learn how to set a table. I have achieved that and can now set it for lots of people, and help serve food for lunches, which is lots of fun.’

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Our educational partnerships also enable meaningful connections. Both local primary schools contribute harvest collections, their choirs perform for our community groups, and the Hub hosts weekly children’s art sessions. University drama students also enjoy performing for our guests. 

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We regularly collaborate with Citizens Advice Exeter (cost-of-living workshop) and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (Electrical Safety Workshop). Recently, we hosted the Devon Stop Smoking service. We work with two local nursing homes that bring residents in on Fridays, and they enjoy the change of scene and dynamic. Our weekly Memory Cafe - a donation-based, drop-in service - is a newly launched initiative to support people with mild to moderate dementia, providing activities for cognitive support and to stimulate conversation.

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Westbank Community Health and Care (Westbank) is Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, supporting people to lead fulfilled, happier, healthier lives. Two regular users are father and son, who are both neurodivergent. They regularly attend workshops together in the adjacent Community Cookery School and enjoy communal meals afterwards in the Hub and lounging in Warmwell, chatting with people. Paul says, “I’ve never come across anywhere like Westbank. It’s lovely to sit and share what we’ve cooked among a diverse group - people of different ages, different backgrounds, different beliefs. It brings us all together.”

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Last November, Warmwell was delighted to welcome Ellie Palmer of Warm Welcome Spaces, who visited with a colleague on a fact-finding mission to learn about the project and how it has evolved in recent years. Ellie said, “In terms of what we’ve seen and discovered here, it’s just an amazing all-round community offer - so many different activities that bring everybody together. The space is so welcoming, the team is so supportive, and the guests seem so relaxed, comfortable and engaged. Offering a warm welcome can add real value to a community, and Westbank demonstrates that.”

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Warmwell was a runner up in the Community Connector category at the Warm Welcome Awards in 2026.

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