Category: Open Arms

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, The Open Arms Team

At an Open Arms session we had a visitor, whose first language was not English, who had found herself in a precarious situation. With her husband hospitalised for long-term medical treatment, she became the sole breadwinner for her family. However, the burden proved overwhelming, leading the family into a spiral of debt that culminated in a court order. The imminent arrival of debt collectors added further stress to an already dire situation.

Navigating the complexities of paperwork and legal proceedings proved challenging for the client, compounded by language barriers. Recognizing the urgency of her situation, our dedicated Citizen Advice team sprang into action. They swiftly connected with their debt team and arranged for the client to be seen on the same day, providing her with the support and guidance she urgently needed.

Understanding the importance of effective communication, Citizens Advice offers free translation services to ensure that language barriers do not hinder access to crucial assistance. With the assistance of a translator, the client was able to fully comprehend her options and navigate the intricate legal processes with confidence.

The outcome was nothing short of remarkable. Through the collaborative efforts of Open Arms and the invaluable support of Citizen Advice, the client was empowered to address her family’s financial crisis head-on.

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, the Open Arms team

In a recent session at Open Arms, a brave client visited us, visibly distressed and struggling to hold back tears. She revealed that she had fled her home due to domestic abuse by her husband. Our team immediately ensured her safety, offering her a comforting cup of tea before she met with our Citizen Adviser.

During her session, the client sought guidance on navigating the process of divorce and accessing support as a victim of domestic abuse. She also expressed concerns about her immigration status, as her husband had previously threatened her with deportation. Fortunately, it was discovered that she held indefinite leave to remain status, alleviating this fear.

With the support of our Citizen Adviser, the client was introduced to Rotherham Rise and together, they discussed the next steps and devised a plan to address her situation.

When leaving our session, we noticed a change in our client’s overall demeanour. She radiated a newfound sense of empowerment and determination to take control of her future. Our Citizen Adviser was deeply impressed by her bravery and resilience, feeling privileged to support her on her journey.

This story highlights the strength and courage of a survivor of domestic abuse. It also highlights the importance of providing safe spaces and access to resources for individuals seeking to break free from abusive situations. At Open Arms, we are committed to offering compassionate support and assisting individuals like our brave client to reclaim their lives.

By the Open Arms Team, Lee Lazenby and Janet Malsch

Over the two-week Easter school holidays, we ran six community events at Open Arms aimed at families. These were free to attend and most had food as well as refreshments provided. Rotherham Healthy Holidays were keen to support these family activities too and offered to part fund the sessions.
The first of our Easter events kicked off at Dalton Parish Hall with the introduction to the very talented Mr Dan who hopefully we will be seeing more of going forward at our upcoming events throughout 2024/2025.

He has such a remarkable memory, able to remember all the children’s names who took an active part on what turned out to be one of our most successful and enjoyable workshops to date, not only in our eyes but both adults and children attending the Circus Workshop.

Mr Dan completely changed his persona as soon as he put on his circus attire.
They say pictures say a thousand words and the feedback received at the event was fantastic.

Continue reading “Easter Events”

By The Open Arms Team, Lee Lazenby and Janet Malsch

Martin, a visitor facing newfound challenges after the end of a relationship and finding himself homeless, sought assistance from the housing team at Riverside House. As he waited his turn, he stumbled upon the Open Arms stall.

We offered Martin a steaming cup of coffee and some biscuits. Grateful for the warmth both literal and figurative, Martin began to open up about his struggles and the hurdles he faced.

What started as a chance encounter blossomed into a heartfelt conversation lasting nearly an hour.  Martin found comfort in sharing his burdens, feeling heard and understood.

Expressing his gratitude, Martin thanked the Open Arms team for their compassion and for treating him with dignity during a vulnerable moment.  We extended the invite and said, he is always welcome for a chat here and, if he needs any assistance Citizen Advice would be available for him.