Open Arms

"Open Arms" came into being after Nicky Heaps completed Stepping Up in 2024.

Nicky felt challenged by God to look after the homeless in some way, just as he had been looked after by the church and its people when he needed help. So, after much prayer, discussion and planning, "Open Arms" came into being in 2025. 

In their update and newsletter Aug 26, Nicky overviewed the workings of Open Arms: 

Open Arms has been functioning now since September/October 2025, the numbers attending vary from week to week, and range from two to thirteen, depending as ever on what other greater priority they might have to do, to stay alive. Open Arms is also supported by a wonderful lady who bakes cakes and puddings for them; all we provide is a great big thank you from the guys who eat it with great relish. 

In the nine months we have been operating, I think the greatest help we have been to someone was when a young family turned up with a two-year-old toddler. We fed them, encouraged them, kitted them out with cloths for the toddler and a few toys, plus some food for the child for later and some advice as to where to find help.  

We heard later that they had found sanctuary and were settled.  

I am always reminded of Matthew 25.40,  'The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters (and little children) of mine, you did for me.'  When we are rewarded with good news, or if you like "God" news then that is reward enough.  

Our time starts when Donna has finished in the cafe, and gives us the all clear, without her cooperation we could not operate, our challenge is to leave her kitchen as clean as she leaves it for us. So far, we are in credit in the cleaning stakes! We usually start about 2.00pm by setting up the tables and chairs in the cafe, with cutlery, condiments, juice and sauces etc.  In the kitchen, food preparation starts; with experience we have found which foods are best suited to the guys tastes and needs and which are not suited to our cooking abilities (boiled rice quickly went off the menu!). At 3.30, we all stop for team prayers and at 3.45 we organise the team as to who is doing what. Then, final checks on food and if all else is ready then doors open 4.00pm. 

We enter names in a register for safety reasons; given the itinerant nature of the lives of these guys it is good to know the Iast time we saw them if there is a concern for their wellbeing. 

When people arrive, they are offered a hot drink and/or a drink of juice, the menu is explained to them and a note made of what they actually want to eat by one of the volunteers. We feel that by giving them the choice, it is their own decision, not something they get to do very often.  The cook then prepares each meal individually which is then delivered to each person, the same process is done with the puddings (this always includes any seconds that are on offer). More hot drinks or juice are available all through the session.  

We have volunteers who are good at talking to the guys and will away see to their needs, with refills and any seconds that are on offer.  

When all is quiet and the guys have left, we then set to and clean and put things back as they should be for Donna, all our equipment is put away in our cupboard, and the kitchen and cafe are checked for being satisfactorily clean and ship shape.  

Any shopping needs are noted for next time and then we have a quick debrief and any concerns are noted.

Having created a good foundation, the next challenge for Open Arms is ‘what next?’. 

Moving forward they want to be more than a brew and a meal and are ready to take it to the next level. Those who use the Open Arms facility need to know there is a better way; that there is hope and His name is Jesus. Over the past months the team at Open Arms have built up a trust and a relationship with these guys, that will give them the privilege of sharing the good news with them; the method of relational evangelism is a proven Jesus way of reaching people.  

Open Arms have access and connections with most of the places in Bridlington that their attendees use, places where they invite them to join in via their voucher/invitations that have dates on the back.  Open Arms also have regular visits from Oral Health trainers and the local PCSO team.  

What next? There has to be a NEXT, testimonies, prayer cards, bible studies, free gospels to give away, perhaps to watch a programme like the "Chosen" or a DVD of someone who in a similar position but tried Jesus and found he actually worked in their lives: there are many things to try. 

We are all volunteers who are called to serve God and his people in need, in the need to know that there's a better way, all based on the words and ways of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the way to Life.