• Lear House, Darmonds Green, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 5DT

Abbeyfield
Hoylake & West Kirby

A Very Special Visitor: An Afternoon with Fudgecake the Pony

Every so often a visitor arrives at Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby who brings a little extra magic to our day. Last month, we met Fudgecake, the gorgeous therapy pony from Jessie’s Party & Therapy Ponies. With her soft coat, gentle nature and calming presence, she trotted straight into our lounge and straight into everyone’s hearts.

From the moment Fudgecake stepped through the door, the room lit up with smiles. Residents were delighted to stroke her, chat to her and enjoy the peaceful, comforting feeling that animals so often bring. It was a lovely example of how meaningful interactions form a key part of life-enriching activities for older adults, giving residents the chance to connect, reminisce and enjoy shared moments of joy.

An elderly person sits in an armchair, covered with a blue checked blanket, reaching out to touch Fudgecake the Pony, their special visitor on a peaceful afternoon indoors.
An elderly woman with grey hair and glasses strokes Fudgecake the Pony, a special visitor, while seated on a red cushioned bench during an afternoon event.
An elderly person with white hair and spectacles gently touches the nose of Fudgecake the Pony, a special visitor, as they sit together indoors in front of a red chair.

There was laughter, there were cuddles and there were plenty of surprised giggles from those who couldn’t quite believe a pony was visiting them indoors. It is these warm and unexpected experiences that show what supportive senior living in Wirral should feel like. Not just safe and caring, but full of colour, companionship and delightful surprises.

As residents stroked Fudgecake and gave her gentle pats, stories from years gone by began to surface. Memories of childhood pets, countryside walks and riding lessons sparked animated conversations, reminding us all why emotional connection is such a core part of caring for older people with dignity and respect. A therapy pony brings more than cuteness, she brings comfort, calmness and a sense of peace.

An elderly person sits in a chair, stroking Fudgecake the Pony, a special guest being held by a woman during an afternoon event and therapeutic animal visit.
Fudgecake the Pony, a small brown and white pony with a blonde mane, stands on a paved surface beside a grey vehicle as a special visitor’s hand reaches towards its head.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair strokes Fudgecake the Pony, her special visitor for the afternoon, as a young woman stands beside them, gently guiding the pony indoors.
A woman assists an elderly lady seated in a chair to interact with Fudgecake the Pony, their special visitor, as afternoon sunlight pours through the window.
Two elderly women sit in chairs, one smiling while the other gently strokes Fudgecake the Pony, their special visitor for the afternoon event.
An elderly woman sits on a chair, stroking Fudgecake the Pony—a special visitor—while a young woman in blue scrubs looks on nearby, both indoors on a tranquil afternoon.

Our afternoon with Fudgecake highlighted the power of community-led care in Merseyside, where visits like this help us nurture wellbeing in playful and imaginative ways. Whether through music, crafting or in this case a very charming pony, we always aim to create a homely environment for later life where our residents feel valued, seen and thoroughly delighted.

By the end of the visit, the room was full of warm chatter and beaming smiles. Fudgecake may be small, but she certainly made a big impact. We already cannot wait to welcome Jessie’s Party & Therapy Ponies back for another magical afternoon.

Want to learn more about our visitors?

Visit their website – Jessie’s Party and Therapy Ponies

Visit their Facebook – Jessie’s Party and Therapy Ponies

What a gorgeous guest and what a lovely day.

Three elderly women sit in armchairs, smiling at a woman kneeling beside Fudgecake the Pony, their special visitor, during an afternoon animal therapy session indoors.
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