Supporting the local community

Introducing the Pear Tree Fund

The Pear Tree Fund offers vital information, advice and holistic support to people with life-changing illnesses or long-term conditions, and families and carers.

We provide a wide range of services to people living in east Suffolk and neighbouring parts of mid Suffolk and south Norfolk.

From our tranquil and welcoming base at the purpose-built Pear Tree Centre in the heart of Halesworth, we offer everything from a cup of tea and listening ear to sessions with our qualified counsellors.

Working closely with the voluntary sector, community groups and partner charities, we put the right help in place to meet the needs of the whole family.

We pride ourselves on walking alongside people on their journey and offering local support when they need it the most.

Our charity also provides nursing care, as well as emotional, physical and practical support to people reaching the end of their lives so that they can die in the comfort and security of their own homes.

“We Are Here” video poem

In partnership with NIHR ARC East of England, we commissioned a video poem, called “We Are Here”, to raise awareness of how Compassionate Communities can offer vital practical and emotional support to local people when they need it most.

The poem has been written and narrated by local poet Dean Parkin and produced by Poetry People. Dean attended group sessions at the Pear Tree Centre and heard first-hand accounts of illness, disability, life-changing diagnosis and bereavement, and of how the Pear Tree Fund and its partners can help people achieve a better quality of life and their best possible death.

“We Are Here” was commissioned on behalf of Halesworth Compassionate Community.

Support for people living with dementia and their carers

We are currently offering eight-week reminiscence workshops to help those living with dementia and their carers to rediscover and relive memories and their shared lives.

'Hopes and Dreams - Rediscovering Memories and Shared Lives' is an arts-based reminiscence project taking place at the Pear Tree Centre.

It is based on the highly successful international project 'Remembering Yesterday, Caring Today', which was developed 20 years ago by the European Reminiscence Network and Pam Schweitzer, its founder director.

The project supports carers to engage in positive activities with the people they care for, as well as providing resources to stimulate memories and connection to family relationships and events. It also offers the opportunity to build social connections and offer mutual support to others who are living with dementia, as well as their carers.

We will be running three eight-week workshops with grant funding from East Suffolk Council, with places for eight couples on each. Together, we will explore and share memories, get to know about one another’s lives and - most importantly - have an enjoyable time.

All eight sessions are based on key stages in life and will include everyone in the group. They will take place at the Pear Tree Centre in Halesworth on Saturday mornings between 10am and 1pm.

For more information or to book a place on the second or third workshops, which start later in the year, please email info@peartreefund.org, call 01986 899655 or click here.

More information about 'Remembering Yesterday and Caring Today' and Pam Schweitzer’s work is available here.

"You’ll Be Fine" audio play

In collaboration with our partners, we are delighted to publish "You’ll Be Fine," an audio play written Jan Etherington, as part of our Compassionate Communities work.

We hope the play will support those who receive a life-changing diagnosis and their families, encourage and facilitate conversations around planning for end-of-life and help educate the public.

Listen Now

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The Pear Tree Fund's latest news

Learn what's happening in and around our fund.

Dedicated duo bid farewell

A husband-and-wife team who have helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Pear Tree Fund are retiring after together clocking up nearly 45 years’ service with the charity. Ted and Jane Edwards will step down as trustees of ... Read More

Generous grant to help the community get cooking

People who have lost a loved one can now socialise with others and boost their wellbeing by taking part in special cooking classes organised by the Pear Tree Fund. The ‘cooking for one’ sessions will give people who have recently ... Read More

PTF’s thanks for golfers’ support

Generous golfers have presented the Pear Tree Fund with a cheque for £2,000 to help the charity continue its vital work supporting local people with life-changing illnesses. The donation comes after Rob Sherington, men’s captain at Halesworth Golf Ltd, selected ... Read More

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Learn a little more

Please take the time to check out our website and get a little more insight into what we do and how we are making a difference to local people's lives.

Your stories

Hear from families who have received care from The Pear Tree Fund and find out how our services are improving people's lives.

Learn about Dee's Den

Dee’s Den is our charity shop which is run by a fantastic group of volunteers. It has raised more than £80,000 for us since January 2013.

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Your generosity really will help us make a difference to local people by providing them with emotional, practical and physical support when they need it the most.

Welcome to The Pear Tree Fund