Rosemary Goddard was a district nurse and a midwife in Mere between 1971 and 1981. After her retirement she continued to live in Mere and over the years she was a counsellor 
and friend to many. She was concerned that there were a number of older – often housebound and lonely – local residents, and she sought to provide some variety and outside interests for them.
In 1987 the Mere community came together and, with the assistance and support of Age Concern (Salisbury), began the Mere Day Centre, opening in 1988 for one day a week; in 1989 a second day was added. In 1994 we became a registered charity and use a sprig of Rosemary as part of our identity in honour of our founder, who sadly died aged 59 in 1990.
Over time, the service has expanded to include those who would benefit in the area surrounding Mere. The Centre has used the Community Room in Lynch Close since 1988, and has had hot meals originally provided by Fives Court Care Home, and then by the Walnut Tree Inn, from the beginning.
In April 2024 the charity structure was changed to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.