Operation Geranium Fayre Brings Music, Community and Support for Age UK Isle of Wight

Age UK Isle of Wight would like to say a huge thank you to Operation Geranium Fayre, Steve Double B.E.M., and everyone involved in organising a brilliant day of music, community spirit, creativity and fundraising at the Apollo Theatre in Newport.

The event on the 6th of June brought together live music, local history, volunteering and community support, all while helping to raise vital funds for Age UK Isle of Wight and shine a light on the work we do as an independent Island charity.

Taking place at the Apollo Theatre, the Operation Geranium Fayre was a celebration of everything the project has achieved over the last six years. Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed a packed programme of music and entertainment, while also learning more about the Operation Geranium Project and its wider impact across the Isle of Wight.

A day of music, community and local support

The Fayre featured a fantastic line-up of live music, with performances from a wide range of acts and styles throughout the day. The programme brought together local musicians, visiting performers, and headline act StormTrooper, who added a brilliant sense of music history to the event.

Age UK Isle of Wight was delighted to be there to speak with members of the public about the work we do to support older people across the Island. Our team and volunteers had conversations with many people throughout the day about our services, volunteering opportunities, community support, and how local people can get involved.

As an independent Island charity, events like this make a real difference. They not only help raise funds, but also give us the opportunity to meet people face-to-face, explain what we do, and build stronger connections with the community.

Thank you to Steve Double B.E.M. and Operation Geranium Fayre

We are incredibly grateful to Steve Double B.E.M. for organising the event and for choosing to support Age UK Isle of Wight through the Fayre.

Steve and everyone behind Operation Geranium have built something that reaches well beyond the Fayre itself. It is a project rooted in community, creativity and kindness, bringing people together while supporting older Islanders and others across the Island.

That same spirit could be felt throughout the day at the Apollo Theatre, with performers, volunteers, organisers and visitors all helping to make it such a warm and welcoming event.

The story behind Operation Geranium

The Operation Geranium Project was established in 2020 and has grown into a much-loved community initiative on the Isle of Wight.

The project supports adults with learning and support needs through the growing of geraniums, which are then shared with people across the Island. Some of these plants are distributed through Age UK Isle of Wight Care Navigators, helping bring a little colour, kindness and connection to older Island residents.

Deliveries have also been supported by the Keert UK Green Cargo Pedal Bike service, adding a sustainable and community-minded approach to the project.

At its heart, Operation Geranium is about inclusion, wellbeing and small acts of kindness. A plant may seem simple, but for someone who is isolated, lonely, or going through a difficult time, it can be a reminder that someone is thinking of them.

You can find out more about the Operation Geranium project on the website here: Operation Geranium Website

A message from Steve Double B.E.M.

Reflecting on the project and the latest Operation Geranium Fayre, organiser Steve Double B.E.M. shared the following message about what Operation Geranium continues to mean for the Island:

“Into Season 6, the Op they could not stop, postpone, or cancel, bounces back, delivering the joy of smiles to geranium recipients across the Island.

Building resilience for our residents, to support independent living in older age with Age UK Isle of Wight, Keert UK, our responsible, planet-aware green cargo pedal bike delivery partners, are on the roads again  look out for them. 600 pots of blooming geraniums, many grown by adults with additional learning and support needs, are gifted into homes, tackling loneliness, isolation, and disaffection, since 2020.

Operation Geranium is the Island’s unique pandemic project, bringing together the vision of many voluntary local agencies to prove that kindness and community matters in a world of negativity and division. Connectivity, and having a mindful purpose in delivering change for the many, and not just the few.

‘Hey Ma, peep outta ya winda, onto the square, ya may spy a geranium on ya doorstep!’

Punk rockers StormTrooper headlined our recent Operation Geranium Community Arts Festival at the Apollo Theatre, Newport. In August, their tour takes them to five major cities in Canada. After 52 years, age is no barrier. There are more reasons to celebrate innovation and creativity here. We face challenges, but we are an Island like no other Island.

Let’s hope we can be empowered to be the difference we seek to see in others. The geranium plant is a symbol of friendship and good health. Sharing free plants and art can be life affirming, and so we hope it can continue.”

Geraniums shared at our latest Chatty Brew

The connection between Operation Geranium and Age UK Isle of Wight continued beyond the Fayre itself.

At our latest Chatty Brew event on Wednesday the 10th of June, we were able to give out some of the geraniums to attendees. This was a lovely way to carry the spirit of the project into one of our own community activities.

Our Chatty Brew events are designed to bring people together for conversation, company and a friendly face. They offer a relaxed space where people can meet others, enjoy a cup of tea, and feel part of something local. Being able to share the geraniums at the event added a special touch and helped bring the project’s message of connection and kindness directly to those attending.

Watch the summary of our June 2026 Chatty Brew below!

Celebrating creativity and inclusion

Operation Geranium is also closely connected with art and community creativity.

During the COVID period, the “Wish You Were Here” postcard initiative distributed 50,000 artworks around the world, helping to connect isolated people at a time when many were separated from friends, family and community life.

That work has since grown into a wider public art programme, with free exhibitions taking place across libraries, cafés and community spaces. 

StormTrooper, music history and a special volunteer moment

One of the highlights of the day was the chance to speak with members of headline band StormTrooper.

The band brought a fascinating piece of music history to the event, with roots going back more than 50 years and connections to the early days of punk rock. Their presence added a real sense of interest for music fans, particularly those interested in the Island’s links to wider UK music history.

Members of StormTrooper kindly took the time to chat with our team and volunteers during the day. One especially memorable moment came when their drummer drew one of our fantastic Age UK Isle of Wight volunteers.

It was a small but wonderful moment that summed up the friendly, creative and community-focused atmosphere of the Fayre.

Lorraine Buckman speaks with Vectis Radio

Our Chair of Trustees, Lorraine Buckman, also spoke with Kitty from Vectis Radio during the event.

Lorraine discussed Operation Geranium, volunteering, the work of Age UK Isle of Wight, and why local support is so important for older people across the Island.

The interview was a valuable opportunity to talk about how Age UK Isle of Wight works in the community, the role volunteers play in supporting our services, and the importance of Island organisations working together.

Listen to Lorraine’s full interview with Kitty on Vectis Radio here:
https://www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/vectis-interviews-2026/episode/2-lorraine-buckman-from-age-uk-isle-of-wight-chats-with-kitty-at-the-operation-geranium-music-festival/

Why community events matter to Age UK Isle of Wight

For Age UK Isle of Wight, community events like Operation Geranium Fayre are incredibly important.

They help us raise vital funds, but they also allow us to speak directly with local people about the support available across the Island. Many people know the Age UK name, but may not always realise that Age UK Isle of Wight is an independent local charity, working specifically to support older people here on the Isle of Wight.

Throughout the day, we were able to speak to people about the different ways we support older Islanders. This includes services, activities and guidance designed to help people stay connected, independent and supported in later life.

It was also a chance to talk about volunteering and the difference local volunteers can make. From befriending and community events to practical support and specialist roles, volunteers are at the heart of so much of what we do.

Thank you to everyone who donated!

We are also very grateful to everyone who supported Age UK Isle of Wight on the day, whether by donating, speaking with us, helping spread the word, or simply showing an interest in the charity and our work.

If you'd like to help the work we do and didn't get to attend the event at the beginning of June you can still help support the work we do by clicking here: Support us!

Find out more

Listen to Lorraine Buckman’s full interview with Kitty on Vectis Radio:
https://www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/vectis-interviews-2026/episode/2-lorraine-buckman-from-age-uk-isle-of-wight-chats-with-kitty-at-the-operation-geranium-music-festival/

Listen to StormTrooper speaking with Kitty on Vectis Radio about their history and connection to the Isle of Wight:
https://www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/vectis-interviews-2026/episode/36-jeff-and-nigel-from-stormtrooper-chat-to-kitty/

Find out more about volunteering with Age UK Isle of Wight:
Volunteer with us!

Find out more about upcoming Chatty Brew events:
Come have a brew with us!

Find out more about what Age UK Isle of Wight does:

How can our services help you?

Whats next for Project Geranium?

Operation Geranium’s support for Age UK Isle of Wight continues, with Steve Double B.E.M. organising another concert on Saturday 1 August at the Apollo Theatre.

Fire & Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story with Reg Meuross and The Strike - Link to buy tickets: here