Twelve years ago, a group of five people that were then know as the Scarborough Deanery Fresh Expressions, led by the Deanery Missioner Revd Sam Foster, had a vision and a longing to serve the community of Eastfield.
The vision was to show God‘s love in very practical ways and to serve the local needs of the community through food bank, debt advice, pregnancy crisis care, cooking on a budget, a daily drop-in centre for company, client support, a team that would sign post people to relevant agencies or simply help them to access benefits, help and support that they needed over a cup of tea and a warm welcome.
And so five of us, with only £50 and a big dream (and a lot of faith!) approached York Diocese to see if we could use their property, which was an old vicarage called Westway House. We asked if we could have a year to see if we could meet the needs of the community, see if any sort of mission and outreach could materialise and take route within that community.
Thankfully, with the support of the Diocese along with the help of local churches of different denominations, local businesses and agencies and individuals pulling together to decorate, clean, offer their time as volunteers, Westway Open Arms came into fruition.
Open Arms was a chosen name to show that everyone was welcome.
Within 16 months, Westway Open Arms became a registered charity rather than a Fresh Expressions project.
In October 2013, The Mayor of Scarborough and Bishop of Hull, Richard Frith, officially opened the centre.
God has really blessed the work of Westway open arms over the years and we continue to serve the local community to this day.
Revd Samantha Taylor
Vicar of Eastfield and Osgodby
February 2024