About Options for Life
About Us
Options for Life is a Sandwell-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex support needs to live fulfilling lives, develop independence and be active members of their communities.
We provide person-centred support that recognises each person as an individual, with their own abilities, interests, choices and aspirations. We build positive relationships based on dignity, respect and trust, creating opportunities for participants to develop skills, make choices, build confidence and enjoy experiences that are meaningful to them.
Our support includes day opportunities, community-based outreach, building-based services and specialist support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to helping each participant achieve outcomes that matter to them, while providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment in which they can thrive.
Our History
Options for Life was founded in 1988 by a group of volunteers in Oldbury, West Midlands, who shared a vision of creating better opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Their aim was to establish a service where people with learning disabilities could develop skills, have greater choice and independence, participate in their communities and be treated with dignity and respect.
The charity began with funding of £18,000 a year for three years through the Opportunities for Volunteers scheme. From these beginnings, an increasing number of weekly sessions and opportunities were developed in response to the needs of local people.
More than 35 years later, Options for Life has grown significantly, but the principles behind that original vision remain at the heart of our work.
Today, we support adults with a wide range of learning disabilities, autism and complex support needs across Sandwell. With a team of more than 65 staff, we continue to develop our services and opportunities in response to the needs, choices and aspirations of the people we support.
Who We Are
Options for Life has a long history of supporting adults with learning disabilities across Sandwell.
Today, we provide a range of services and opportunities designed around the individual. We recognise that every person is different, which is why our support ranges from opportunities to develop independence and community participation through to specialist support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex needs.
Our participants are at the heart of what we do, and their choices, experiences and aspirations help shape the support we provide.
