Registered charity no.1176738. The Geranium Trust offers friendship and support to anyone regardless of age, faith, ethnicity, status or sexual orientation who is living with bereavement, loneliness or feeling isolated. As a community focused charity our aim is, and always has been, to support those most in need in Somerset and North Dorset. We do this by organising regular tea parties, coffee mornings, Sunday roast dinners and gardening and wildlife study groups. All our trustees and administrative staff are volunteers. We do not employ any paid staff and all money raised goes to support the charitable work that we offer.
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The Geranium Trust was founded in memory of Geoff Kemp (1950 - 2017)
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Geoff died from a cancer related illness in February 2017. His partner, with the support of Geoff's family and friends, decided that he would like others to enjoy the beautiful gardens and farmland around the house that they shared and loved for many years. The two acre field, to the west of Court House, is now known as 'Geoff's Meadow' where young trees and wild flowers have been planted. It's a place of peace and quiet where those who need a little solitude can go and rest a while.
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Why the name Geranium Trust? Well, Geoff was a botanist and his favorite plant was the wild British Geranium Herb Robert. So the charity was named after this humble little hedgerow plant that Geoff loved so much.
Geoff Kemp 1950 - 2017
Wendy, known to all as "Sister Wendy"
Tea Parties
& Coffee Mornings
We organise Monthly Tea Parties 2 - 4 pm on the last Friday in the month at Court House, Stoford, Nr Yeovil. If you live in the Yeovil or the Sherborne area and you feel lonely or isolated, then come along and join us.
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Coffee and Chat
You can call into Court House any Tuesday between 10 am - 4 pm for 'Coffee and Chat' there is always plenty coffee, tea and biscuits and at 12 noon homemade soup is served in the farmhouse kitchen. So if you are alone and would like some company come along.
There are more than 26 acres of land at Court House. We have the use, rent free, for most of this land to use as a community garden and wildlife haven. This offers a chance for people who feel trapped in their homes to get out into the fresh air and make new friends while gardening or taking nature walks in the wildlife haven. To find out more Email: geraniumtrust@gmail.com
Loneliness in the comunity
Loneliness in the community is a big problem these days with friends, neighbours and family all leading such busy lives leaving many elderly and house bound folk feeling isolated and alone. This is an area that we would very much like to explore to see just how we may be able to offer help and support. Maybe by taking a personal 'one to one' tea party to the homes of those who are alone.
Geoff's Meadow
Memory Garden
Geoff's Meadow is the two acre field to the west of Court House. It's original name on the old tithe map is 'Higher Home Orchard'. It's a place of peace where you can walk, think and remember or maybe sit & relax on a bench and read a book. Many of the young trees have been planted in memory of a loved one. Two of the trees have been planted in memory of pet dogs and one in memory of a hampster.
Roast Dinners
& Curry Nights
We organise roast dinners where older folk can come to meet new friends and enjoy a good roast dinner, followed by afternoon tea with cakes. Places are limited so this is by invitation only at the moment. We also have the occational curry night at Court House, again this is for those living with loneliness.
LGBT+ Social, Friendship
& Support
We also run an LGBT+ social support & friendship group for those feeling alone and isolated. Every month we organise a full three course Sunday Roast Dinner. Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the food.
We also hold a monthly LGBT+ Coffee Morning.
Contact us for full details.
Email: geraniumtrust@gmail.com
Keep In Touch
Ask for our diary of events for 2025
geraniumtrust@gmail.com
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Our Founder, Terence "Paul" Palfrey, recieving a Civic Award from the chair of Somerset council, in 2023, for the work that we do to support the community of Barwick & Stoford