Category: Open Arms

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, Open Arms Team

At the start of November, a lady called in to one of our Open Arms sessions at Wath Library.  Ms S was seeking assistance and information about our services. Drawn to the welcoming environment, she decided to reach out. 

Over a brew, she bravely shared her story. For the past five years, she had been in an on-and-off abusive relationship, which had left her unable to cope with anxiety and mounting debts. Determined to make positive changes in her life, she sought advice on how to address her financial challenges. 

The CARD adviser attending the session, suggested two options.  Either she attends the debt drop-in session at their main office in Rotherham between 09:30 and 12:30 or return in two weeks with the relevant paperwork as she needed more time. Ms S lived locally, so she opted to go back to the library. 

On returning, the advisor referred her to the CARD debt team for further support. During her visit, she also had an open and heartfelt conversation with the Open Arms team, once again, expressing her struggles and her determination to move forward. 

She later shared her gratitude, saying the support and care she received made her feel heard and valued, and now feels confident about tackling her financial situation in the hope of it leading towards a brighter future. 

This story highlights the impact of creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for individuals in need and the power of small gestures in fostering hope and confidence. 

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, Open Arms Team

Joanne, a retired lady, recently visited the Open Arms Project after her Winter Fuel Allowance was withdrawn by the government. She was welcomed warmly by our team with coffee, biscuits, and a friendly atmosphere before meeting with one of our Citizens Advice advisers.

During the consultation, Joanne shared that she had been facing significant personal challenges, including a brain haemorrhage, which had taken a toll on her. Despite her struggles, Joanne was unaware that she might be eligible for additional financial support.

Thanks to a thorough benefits check, it was discovered that Joanne was entitled to Pension Credit—a crucial financial aid for her. Not only did our adviser help her apply for this benefit, but they were also able to backdate the claim to the end of June. This resulted in a substantial payout, providing Joanne with a much-needed financial boost as the colder months approach.

Joanne expressed her gratitude to the team for their support and guidance. She is now in a much better financial position, allowing her to feel more secure and prepared for winter. Her experience highlights the importance of the Open Arms Project and the difference we can make in people’s lives by offering personalised support and advice.

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, the Open Arms team

Joanne, a retired lady, recently visited the Open Arms Project, she was welcomed warmly by our team with coffee, biscuits, and a friendly atmosphere before meeting with one of our Citizens Advice advisers.

During the consultation, Joanne shared that she had been facing significant personal challenges, including a brain haemorrhage, which had taken a toll on her. Despite her struggles, Joanne was unaware that she might be eligible for additional financial support.

Thanks to a thorough benefits check, it was discovered that Joanne was entitled to Pension Credit—a crucial financial aid for her. Not only did our adviser help her apply for this benefit, but they were also able to backdate the claim to the end of June. This resulted in a substantial payout, providing Joanne with a much-needed financial boost as the colder months approach.

Joanne expressed her gratitude to the team for their support and guidance. She is now in a much better financial position, allowing her to feel more secure and prepared for winter. Her experience highlights the importance of the Open Arms Project and the difference we can make in people’s lives by offering personalized support and advice.

This success story is a reminder of the positive impact we can have on those in need, especially during challenging times.

By Janet Malsch and Lee Lazenby, Open Arms Team

James approached the Open Arms team seeking advice for a difficult family situation. His brother, who suffers from dementia, was at risk of losing his care home space due to the financial misconduct of his life partner. Evidence suggested that his partner was exploiting him financially, which left James deeply concerned about his brother’s future care and support as his condition worsened.

During his initial visit, our Citizen Adviser discussed the next steps with James, providing clear and actionable advice. They recommended that James report the situation to the police to address the financial abuse. Additionally, they guided him on how to apply for a court of protection to safeguard his brother’s interests and provided tips on collaborating with the social care team to review and update his brother’s care plan.

Two weeks later, James returned to the Open Arms session to express his gratitude for the support he received. He shared that being able to talk with our team and receiving clear direction gave him the confidence to take necessary actions. With our guidance, he had reported the situation to the police, initiated the court of protection process, and engaged with the social care team to ensure his brother would receive the proper care.

James’ dedication, care, and love for his brother were evident. The distress he initially showed had transformed into a renewed sense of confidence and positivity when we saw him again. He thanked our team for the support, emphasizing how crucial it was in helping him navigate this challenging situation. He also mentioned that he would keep us updated on his brother’s situation.

James is a testament to the power of support and the positive impact that timely advice can have. His determination to protect his brother’s well-being and his proactive approach in seeking help reflect the core values of community and compassion that we strive to uphold at Open Arms. We are proud to have been a part of his journey and remain committed to supporting individuals facing similar challenges.

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.