We made the wish come true of resident Gill, from Thorp House Care Home, by arranging a visit to a local stables.

At the beginning of the year, we made the wish come true of resident Gill, from Thorp House Care Home, by arranging a visit to a local stables.

Her little girl’s passion for horses was encouraged by her father even during the age of clothes rationing when buying jodhpurs and riding boots was difficult.

And even though dementia has cruelly taken away so many of her memories Gill Martinez still loves horses today and has spent many hours gazing at them in adjoining fields from her window at Thorp House.

As staff at her home in Griston, near Watton prepare to dress up for the Alzheimer's Society fundraiser Elf Day at the beginning of December, they are keen to share the past story of 83-year-old Gill which highlights the magical and rewarding results of supporting someone living with dementia.

Thorp House’s wellbeing coordinator, Marcia Hughes, said: “We have a wishing tree at the home and Gill had posted her wish to visit a riding stable.

“I am so grateful we managed to fulfil her wish before the pandemic with a visit to Eden Meadows Riding Centre, in #Attleborough. “It made her so happy and brought back wonderful childhood memories which is so important for people with dementia.

“We walked around the yard and stood in the stable where Gill was able to groom Charlie the horse. The experience was amazing.

” Gill’s son Paul Martinez said: “It was lovely to see mum so happy doing something she loved from her childhood.

“We were so grateful Thorp House helped her reconnect with nature, something that has been a big part of her life.” We have also submitted Gill's story to the #donateyourwords campaign from Age UK and Cadbury UK.