About Us

Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby Society is a registered charity and also a registered company. As a charity, the Society operates on a not-for-profit basis and its purpose is to provide relief and care to the elderly. It does this through its residential care, respite and day care services.

The Society is also part of the Abbeyfield family, which means that it follows The Abbeyfield Society’s guiding principles in the way it operates and looks after the residents in its care.

In all other respects Abbeyfield Lear House is completely independent and is governed by its own board of Trustees who serve on a voluntary basis.

Community Is at the Heart of Our Vision and Mission​

Our Vision

Our Vision to ‘Enhance the quality of life for older people’ by ‘creating communities that keep people connected’.

Our vision for the future is to build an extension, which will link Lear House with Elliot House, enabling us to refurbish and provide a further 9 bedrooms with en-suite, 2 newly refurbished communal areas so we can offer more activities and more interaction with our local community.

Our Mission

At Abbeyfield, our mission is ‘To support older adults to live well’ by creating welcoming communities that keep people connected.

Our highly experienced teams provide a holistic approach to care, delivering friendly and personal support to every resident.

Working closely with residents and their families, we ensure that every need is met, offering a true sense of home and care that adapts as requirements change.

Our Team

Our wonderful team of staff are professionals, and are very experienced at what they do, but they also care passionately about the residents that they work with. At Lear House we strive to foster a kind, caring and welcoming ethos which our staff embody every day.

Thanks to these exceptional people who have joined our family, Management, our board of Trustees and Volunteers, we have a well-earned reputation for providing excellent care services.

A group of twelve people, some in blue uniforms, pose around a table in the care home. A decorative mirror is on the wall behind them.
A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a silver necklace and a dark red top, stands against a plain background, her warmth and kindness reflecting the welcoming atmosphere of an Abbeyfield residential care home.

Ailsa Wright
General Manager

Ailsa started life at Lear House as the Society Treasurer but became General Manager, following the retirement of the C.E.O in September 2016.

Ailsa is committed to raising the profile of the Society for the benefit of all the residents and staff.

A person with short, curly hair featuring pink highlights, dressed in a burgundy top, black blazer, and a necklace, smiling at the camera.

Natalie Ditzel
Care Manager

Natalie Ditzel is our Care Manager at Lear House. She brings valuable experience in leading care teams and delivering high-quality, person-centred support. Natalie is passionate about creating a safe, respectful, and homely environment where every resident feels valued and heard.

Natalie’s leadership style is warm and inclusive, she is committed to developing staff, strengthening standards, and working closely with residents and families to ensure care is responsive, compassionate, and consistent. Natalie is focused on continuous improvement, helping Lear House grow as a positive and supportive community for everyone who lives and works here.

A person with short grey hair, radiant in a floral top and shiny tinsel accessories resembling antennae, stands against a plain backdrop. Their vibrant style brings joy to the Abbeyfield care home, where respite care allows them moments of creative expression.

Helen Nile
Activity Coordinator

Helen has been the Activity Coordinator at Lear House since 2012. She organises a variety of activities and entertainment for our residents including different styles of music, a poetry reading group, weekly visits from a local preschool, visits from a therapy dog and other animals, pamper afternoons, crafting, exercise sessions, quizzes and crosswords.

Helen considers it a privilege to be a part of our residents' lives and works hard to keep them active and in touch with the local community.

Resident Testimonials

"There's always something going on, singing, dancing and the owl man. There are some wonderful staff, and we always have a laugh!"
This fabric square features handwritten text about activities and the friendly staff at Abbeyfield, beautifully set over a large pink flower and a colourful butterfly.
"I enjoy joining in activities with my friends. The friendship and kindness is special. The garden is lovely and sitting outside on a sunny day enjoyable for everyone. West Kirby is a good place to live, I like walking by the sea and watching people with their dogs."
Fabric with handwritten text in blue ink, referencing friendship, kindness, enjoying time outdoors, and a place called West Kirby. Inspired by life at a Wirral care home, three daisy-like flowers are embroidered at the bottom.
"I love walking and the peaceful grounds. I love the trees and the quiet and the kindess of the staff."
Handwritten text on fabric expresses appreciation for the peaceful grounds, trees, quiet, and staff kindness at the Wirral care home, beautifully decorated with colourful butterfly stickers.
"I like the companionship. I enjoy the meals. It is like a second home."
The text on the fabric reads: I’d appreciate the companionship of sharing meals at our Abbeyfield. Its like a second home for us. A butterfly decoration is in the bottom right corner.
"I love the skunk when he visits and the people."
Text on a fabric background adorned with butterfly and floral stickers, reading: I love the skunk when it visits at the abbeyfield and the people.
"I enjoy the friendship of my friends. We care for one and other. Excellent entertainment. Variety of meals, excellent, good chef."
A fabric square featuring a handwritten message about friendship and meals, adorned with six embroidered flowers and a blue butterfly in the top corner on an orange background, adds warmth and cheer to the Wirral care home ambience.
"I can recommend Lear House for friendship, food and outings. You will never be disappointed."
Handwritten text on fabric reads, I can recommend Lost Houses for friendship, food, and outings. You will not be disappointed. Decorated with musical notes, flowers, and a microphone sticker, it evokes the warmth of a welcoming care home in Wirral.
"I enjoy the friendship of my friends. We care for one and other. Excellent entertainment. Variety of meals, excellent, good chef."
A handwritten note on fabric, mentioning friendship, entertainment, and meals at the Wirral care home, is beautifully adorned with embroidered flowers and a butterfly patch in the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby

Lear House is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide support for older people living with a range of needs. This includes general residential care, tailored support for people living with dementia, help for those with physical disabilities and assistance for people with visual or hearing impairments. The aim is to ensure each person’s individual needs are understood and met with dignity and respect.

Lear House has 33 single rooms spread across two floors. Each room is designed to be spacious and comfortable, and residents are encouraged to personalise their own space with furniture and belongings that matter to them.

Lear House offers a range of facilities aimed at making life easier and more enjoyable. There’s wheelchair access throughout, a lift and stairlift to reach the upper floor, beautiful gardens to enjoy the fresh air, a communal kitchenette, and internet access so residents can stay in touch with family and friends. Local shops and transport links are nearby, and personal furnishings are welcomed into rooms. Smoking is not permitted on site.

Lear House is approximately 0.6 miles as the crow flies from the centre of Wirral, meaning it’s very close to local shops, transport and community amenities. The actual distance by road may be a bit further depending on the route taken.

Lear House is part of the broader Abbeyfield family and follows the guiding principles established by the Abbeyfield Society, focusing on companionship and community. That said, it is independently governed by its own local Board of Trustees, who volunteer to support the home and residents as part of the Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby Society.

Yes. Lear House is operated by a registered charity that is not-for-profit. This means any surplus income is reinvested back into the home, its facilities and the quality of care it can provide for residents.

The Society’s vision is to enhance the quality of life for older people by creating communities where connections with others, neighbours, family and friends matter. The focus is on companionship, dignity and enabling residents to live well in later life.

All meals are freshly prepared on site and served in a welcoming dining room. Residents enjoy nutritious, home-cooked dishes as part of daily life at Lear House, creating a relaxed and social environment at mealtimes.

Absolutely. Family and friends are always encouraged to visit, and community links are an important part of life at Lear House. Regular social events, celebrations and activity sessions help strengthen connections and keep everyone feeling included and engaged.

Many visitors and residents say that Lear House feels like “a second home”, not just a care facility. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the staff are known for their kindness and attention, and there are communal spaces and gardens where residents can relax, chat or enjoy a hobby. Real feedback from residents and families often highlights the friendliness, cleanliness and sense of community here.