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Open Arms Support Services Ltd

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Open Arms Support Services Ltd

At Open Arms, our occupational therapists specialise in working with children and adults.

15/11/2025

Big feelings can feel overwhelming — especially for children who are still learning how to regulate. 🧠💛

In this video, Dawn, one of our Occupational Therapists, shows a simple DIY tool you can create at home to help your child navigate tricky emotions.

Using labelled jars filled with calming activity ideas, your child can choose a strategy whenever they feel angry, jealous, or sad. Over time, this helps them build confidence and independence in their own regulation skills.

And to keep them motivated?
A little reward system goes a long way — like adding a gem to their pot every time they use a strategy. 🌟

Small tools. Big progress.
That’s how we support families, one moment at a time.

08/11/2025

Every child deserves a space where it’s safe to pause and reset. Creating a calm-down corner at home is easier than you think! 🏡

Here’s a starter pack:
💺 A comfy chair or beanbag
🌙 Soft lighting or fairy lights
📚 A basket of calming books or mindful cards
🧸 Favourite toy or fidget
🎶 A speaker with relaxing sounds

✨ Parent tip: Add your child’s regulation toolkit to the corner so everything they need is within reach.
If you’re not sure how to build one, visit our previous post on creating a regulation toolkit — it’s the perfect companion to this calm-down space. 🌿

At Open Arms, we help design spaces like this to help children feel safe and secure. With the right tools, a meltdown doesn’t have to mean chaos—it can mean calm. 🌿

💬 If you had a calm corner at home, what’s one thing you’d put in it?

06/11/2025

Imagine if your child had their very own toolbox of calm—ready to go whenever big feelings arrive. That’s exactly what a regulation toolkit is. 🌟

Great items to include:
🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones
🪀 Fidget toy or chewy
🧸 Weighted soft toy
🥤 Water bottle or snack
🎶 Playlist of calming music

✨ Parent tip: Let your child help build their kit! When they choose what goes inside, they’re more likely to use it when needed.

At Open Arms, we show families how to create toolkits that truly work—at school, at home, and on the go. Because regulation is about empowerment, not discipline. 💙

💬 What’s the one comfort item your child can’t live without?

29/10/2025

Ever noticed how some days your child can manage the smallest frustrations… and other days, the tiniest thing causes a meltdown? That’s emotional regulation at play.

👉 Emotional regulation isn’t about stopping big feelings. It’s about helping children understand their emotions and find safe ways to return to calm.

✨ Quick tip: Next time your child feels overwhelmed, name the feeling: “I can see you’re angry right now.” Just naming emotions can help reduce their intensity.

At Open Arms, we support families with practical frameworks that make these moments less stressful and more connecting. Because with the right support, emotional regulation can become a life skill that lasts forever. 🌱

💬 What’s the biggest emotion your child struggles with—anger, worry, or sadness?

27/10/2025

It’s World Occupational Therapy Day! 💙

Today we’re celebrating the heart of what we do — helping children feel capable, confident, and understood.

At Open Arms Support Services, OT is never one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding what works for your child — whether that’s mastering zips and buttons, calming through sensory play, or building focus for school and friendships.

Every small win matters. Every child’s journey counts.
And every occupational therapist working behind the scenes deserves to be celebrated today. 🌈

Happy World OT Day to all the incredible OTs making everyday life possible in extraordinary ways!

19/10/2025

📢 Calling all teachers and SENDCOs! We invite you to take part in the EHCP Support & Technology Survey that helps shape better tools and services to support your vital work with children and young people with additional educational needs.

This quick, 5-minute survey is designed to capture your insights and challenges faced in meeting EHCP outcomes amidst growing demands and limited resources. At Open Arms Support Services, with over 15 years' experience supporting schools, we’re committed to developing professional, bespoke advice that lightens your workload and enhances outcomes for every child.

Your voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you’re directly influencing the creation of solutions that offer timely, tailored support—because educators deserve nothing less.

Click the link to contribute your valuable input today! Together, let’s build stronger support systems for the educators shaping the future. ✨
https://forms.office.com/e/bSmTZwMsfB

Your responses are anonymous unless you choose to share your details.

15/10/2025

Today is National Burns Awareness Day 🔥 — a national reminder to take simple steps that protect little ones from serious harm.

Every year, hundreds of children experience burns and scalds at home from everyday objects like pans, kettles, and hot water bottles.

💡 Prevention is protection:

Keep hot drinks and water bottles away from children.

Turn pan handles away from the edge.

Test bath water before little ones get in.

Together, we can make every home a safer space. 💛

11/10/2025

Focus and concentration are rarely just about willpower. For many children with additional needs, attention struggles come from sensory overload, unclear instructions, or not knowing where to start.

At Open Arms Support Services, we help families and schools set up practical supports: visual schedules, task breakdowns, movement breaks, and calming tools.

When the classroom feels predictable and safe, children can give their best attention — and that’s when friendships start to flourish too.

💚 Our Occupational Therapists are here to help you create the right environment for your child to focus, learn, and feel confident every day.

📩 Send us a message and find out how we can support your family.

Save this post for later and share it with another parent who needs it.

08/10/2025

When your child is in the middle of big feelings, your response matters more than you know. 💜

Here are some ways you can support them through those overwhelming moments:

🚨 During the storm
🧘‍♀️ Stay calm yourself — your regulated nervous system helps theirs to calm down too. Deep breaths, a soft voice, and steady presence make a big difference.
🤐 Keep language simple — skip the explanations and instructions. Words like “safe,” “breathe,” or “I’m here” are enough.
🔇 Reduce sensory triggers — dim the lights, lower noise, and clear away overwhelming stimuli where possible.
🤗 Offer physical comfort — a firm hug, deep pressure, or a weighted blanket can help (but only if it feels safe and soothing for your child).
💨 Model slow breathing — visible, calm breaths they can mirror when they’re ready.
⏰ Wait it out — don’t rush. Regulation takes time, and that’s completely okay.

🌈 After the storm
✅ Validate their feelings — let them know it’s okay to have big emotions.
✅ Celebrate their effort — recognise that they made it through.
✅ Reflect together — talk gently about what helped and what didn’t.
✅ Plan for next time — give them a sense of predictability and support.

💡 Remember: meltdowns aren’t failures. They’re opportunities to show your child that they’re safe, loved, and supported — even in their hardest moments.

At Open Arms Support Services, our OTs help families find practical strategies for regulation and connection. You don’t have to do this alone. 💕

30/09/2025

🌱 “Children are like little seeds — with the right environment and tools, they thrive.”

In this video, Dawn, one of our dedicated occupational therapists at Open Arms, shares why she loves her job.

For her, it’s about being creative, tailoring support, and helping every child unlock their potential.

At Open Arms, we believe no two children are the same — and with the right plan in place, every child can flourish. ✨

💙 Dawn — and the whole Open Arms team — are ready to help your child thrive. 💙

👉 Send us a message today to find out how we can support your family.

25/09/2025

Fussy eating isn't about being "difficult" or "picky" - there's often much more happening beneath the surface.

These are some of the reasons behind selective eating:
🧠 Sensory processing differences - Textures, smells, temperatures, or flavours can feel overwhelming or even painful
🤲 Motor skills challenges - Difficulties with chewing, swallowing, or using utensils can make mealtimes frustrating
💔 Past experiences - Previous choking incidents, force-feeding, or medical procedures can create food anxiety
👄 Oral motor issues - Weak jaw muscles or poor tongue coordination affecting chewing and swallowing

How OT helps:
🔍 Root cause analysis - Understanding what's really driving the feeding difficulties through comprehensive assessment
🌱 Gradual food introduction - Reintroducing foods at the child's pace without pressure or force
🎨 Food exploration activities - Making food interaction fun through play, art, and sensory experiences
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family support - Coaching parents on creating positive mealtime environments
The goal isn't forcing children to eat everything - it's expanding their comfort zone whilst respecting their individual needs and building positive relationships with food.

Every child deserves to feel safe and supported at mealtimes.

Our experienced OTs are here to support your family's feeding journey. Get in touch today to learn how we can help transform mealtimes from stressful to successful.

18/09/2025

School mornings don’t have to feel like a daily battle. A smoother start often begins the night before. Try these simple bedtime shifts:

🌙 Reduce screen time before bed to help the brain wind down.
🌙 Create a predictable routine — same steps, same order, every night.
🌙 Set the mood by dimming lights and keeping noise low, signalling it’s time to rest.
When bedtime feels calm, mornings feel lighter — for both you and your child. 💛

📌 Save this for later and share it with another parent who could use a smoother school routine.

💬 What’s your go-to bedtime trick? Drop it in the comments — your tip might inspire someone else!

Address

1a Silver Road
Norwich
NR34TX

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441603767498

Website

https://www.openarmsupport.co.uk/

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