Ponies, Children and Ice Cream Delight Residents at Ryland View Care Home During Care Home Open Week
25 June 2026
Residents at Ryland View Care Home enjoyed a heartwarming morning of smiles, friendship, and furry visitors as part of Care Home Open Week, when ponies and children from Smarty Pants Nursery paid a special visit to the home.
Held on Wednesday 17th June, the event brought together residents, nursery children, families, and colleagues for a memorable intergenerational experience that celebrated community connections and the joy of spending time together.
The stars of the morning were the gentle ponies, who quickly captured everyone’s hearts. Residents and children delighted in feeding them carrots, stroking them, and watching them calmly wander around the grounds. The visit created countless opportunities for conversation, laughter, and shared experiences between generations.
Intergenerational activities are known to have a positive impact on wellbeing, helping to reduce loneliness, encourage social interaction, and create meaningful relationships for both older and younger people. The morning at Ryland View perfectly demonstrated the value of bringing different generations together.
To round off the visit, Chef Manager Becki treated everyone to a refreshing ice cream, with residents and children choosing between strawberry or vanilla flavours and adding colourful sprinkles to make the occasion even sweeter.
Resident Marion couldn’t hide her delight, saying: “Oh, how beautiful are these ponies.”
Christine added: “This is beautiful, seeing the children and the ponies, and the ice cream is lovely too.”
The team from Smarty Pants Nursery were equally appreciative of the warm welcome, commenting: “Thank you so much for inviting us to see the ponies and have ice cream. It is very kind of you.”
The event was a wonderful celebration of Care Home Open Week, creating lasting memories for residents and visitors alike. With sunshine, friendly faces, gentle animals, and plenty of ice cream, it was a morning filled with happiness, laughter, and the community spirit that makes Ryland View Care Home such a special place.
