A LEADER at an Exminster-based Westbank Community Health and Care has been presented with a prestigious award.

Andy Hood, who oversees Westbank’s carers services, was named Team Leader of the Year at the Care and Support West Awards 2024.

Now in their 11th year, the awards recognise the work of care professionals across the region.

Andy attended a ceremony at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol to receive a trophy in recognition of his leadership of a team that supports more than 30,000 unpaid carers across Devon.

Andy said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to win a Care and Support West award this year for my role leading Westbank’s Devon Carers Service.

‘It is great to be recognised in this way and for the hard work from my team that has gone into developing our fantastic service for unpaid carers.

‘It is particularly rewarding for us to receive this accolade in the year during which Devon Carers is celebrating its 25th anniversary.’

Westbank Community Health and Care, which is based in Exminster, started Devon Carers as a small group locally but this has expanded to cover the whole county to become one of the largest charitable organisations in the UK.

It helps both adults and young carers, with 2,500 under 18s registered with Devon Young Carers.

The Care and Support West Awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of 500 care providers in the South West, which together employ around 19,000 people.