Surprise brings back treasured memories for lifelong horse lover

Sue Weavers, aged 76, is living with dementia and has been a resident at Alderwood since December 2025. To create a truly special day, our home’s lifestyle team took her to The Henny Swan, a place filled with happy memories from years spent visiting with her husband Phil, where a magnificent shire horse was waiting to surprise her.

The shire horse, named Cerys, belongs to Andrea Adams from Henny Heavy Horses, who kindly agreed to bring her along to meet Sue.

For Sue, the surprise was an opportunity to reconnect with a lifelong passion that has brought her joy since childhood.

Sue spent time stroking the horse and talking to her. She said: “Horses are my happy place.”

Simon, Sue’s son, said: “I think it reached the Mum I knew before her dementia. I could see the joy on her face again as she touched the horse, triggering her senses.

“It’s wonderful for us as her family to see these ‘awakenings’ and enjoy them with her, if only for a brief time”

Phil, Sue’s husband, added: “She has absolutely loved seeing the shire horse, the whole day was a 10 out of 10 experience for her!”

Sue’s passion for horses began in childhood. After her father developed Parkinson’s disease when she was just four years old, trips to the local stables in Redbridge became a treasured escape where she helped groom the horses.

Her love of the animals continued into adulthood. She regularly enjoyed pony trekking holidays in the Brecon Beacons and went on to own five horses, the last being a large Irish Draft cross Thoroughbred.

Sue even studied equine studies as a mature student at Otley College near Woodbridge to help care for her horses and once dreamed of starting her own horse-related business. Instead, she devoted her career to supporting children and their families while working at a children’s hospice.

Laura Birch, lifestyle lead at Alderwood Care Home, said: “Getting to really know and understand our residents helps us to create meaningful experiences for them.

“For Sue it was helping her to reconnect with her lifelong passion for horses, while also making special memories with her family. Sue’s face lit up when she saw the magnificent shire horse and she just loved stroking her and giving her a scratch.”

Nikki Leaney, manager at Alderwood, added: “For those of our residents living with dementia, interaction with animals can have wonderfully therapeutic benefits, helping to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and create a sense of peace and contentment.

“Sue has such a strong attachment to horses, you could see how happy meeting Cerys made her and how calm and relaxed she was with her.”

Alderwood is located on Essex Hall Road in Colchester  and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The team provides residential, nursing, dementia and specialist end of life care. Alderwood Care Home has been named one of the UK’s Top 100 Care Homes in the Lottie Awards 2026, a celebration of the UK’s best care homes and care providers.