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Our Projects- New Website Content- II
Our Projects
In this page, you will find additional projects.
CURRENT & RECENT PROJECTS
(Please hover on the images to see the project details. This feature is not available on mobile devices.)
COMBINED WITH EARLIER PROJECT:
• Renovation for Nutrition
• Eat Better Project
Our cooking and healthy eating projects help participants develop practical skills that can support greater independence, confidence and wellbeing.
An earlier grant enabled us to refurbish the kitchen at Oak Green Lodge, creating an improved environment where participants could develop cooking skills and prepare food for themselves, friends and family.
Building on this, the Eat Better project supports participants to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to prepare nutritious meals.
Cooking provides opportunities to learn everyday living skills while also encouraging choice, social interaction and confidence.
Latest funding: Grimmitt Trust – £1,200.
Previous support: Screwfix Foundation.
COMBINED FROM:
Get Green Fingered!, Options for Life Allotment, Revitalising the Secret Garden, Secret Garden & Allotment Enhancement for Wellbeing and Environmental Learning, Secret Garden Project
Our gardening and allotment projects give participants opportunities to enjoy nature, develop practical skills and experience the physical and emotional benefits of spending time outdoors.
Over several years, different funders have helped us develop our gardening provision. Participants have been involved in planting seeds, growing fruit and vegetables, watering, weeding and harvesting produce.
Our Secret Garden has also been developed to provide an attractive and welcoming outdoor space where participants can garden, relax and socialise.
More recent improvements include raised planting beds, seating and improvements to the garden buildings and equipment, making the spaces more accessible and enjoyable.
These projects provide opportunities to develop gardening and life skills, learn about the environment, build confidence and enjoy a sense of achievement from growing and caring for plants.
Funded with support from: Finnis Scott Foundation, Morrisons Foundation, Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and other charitable funders.
COMBINED FROM:
Drive Change: A Community Vehicle Initiative 1 & Drive Change: A Community Vehicle Initiative 2
Access to reliable transport is important in helping participants take part in activities, access community venues and enjoy new experiences.
Through our Drive Change projects, funding has enabled Options for Life to purchase two seven-seater vehicles to improve community access for the people we support.
The vehicles help our staff safely transport participants to daytime activities, community venues, sport and physical activities and other opportunities.
Having access to suitable transport helps reduce barriers to community participation and provides participants with greater opportunities to interact with others, stay active and be part of their local communities.
One of the vehicles is fully electric, also helping us take steps towards more sustainable community transport.
Funded with support from: Beatrice Laing Family Trust, The Eveson Trust and the Inclusive Communities Fund.
COMBINED FROM:
• Christmas Theatre Trips
• Pantomime Trip for Options for Life Participants
• Later Pantomime Trip funded by Baily Thomas Charitable Trust and Creative Black Country
Our Accessible Theatre Experiences help participants enjoy adapted live performances and cultural experiences that they may otherwise find difficult to access.
Funding has enabled groups of participants, including people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and wheelchair users, to attend accessible theatre and pantomime performances.
Transport and accessibility requirements are considered as part of the experience, helping participants enjoy an exciting day out in a safe and supportive way.
These experiences provide opportunities for enjoyment, social interaction, increased confidence and community inclusion while enabling participants to experience arts and culture alongside their peers.
Funded with support from: Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, The Baily Thomas Charitable Trust and Creative Black Country.
COMBINED FROM:
• Time2Relax: Sensory Room
• Improvement to a Sensory Garden
Our sensory spaces provide participants with accessible environments where they can relax, explore and engage with different sensory experiences.
Funding has helped us develop indoor and outdoor sensory environments, including a sensory room at Ocker Hill and improvements to the sensory garden at Acorn Lodge.
These spaces include sensory lighting, interactive equipment, musical features and accessible outdoor equipment designed to provide stimulating and enjoyable experiences.
The environments are particularly valuable for participants who benefit from sensory activities and spaces designed around their individual needs.
Funded with support from: nPower Business Solutions Foundation, Edward Cadbury Trust, Owen Family Trust, Grimmitt Trust and Solvay (UK) Solutions.
COMBINED FROM:
• Critical Cooling Solutions at Acorn Lodge
• Cooling for Comfort at Oak Green Lodge
• Refurbishment of Windows at Oak Green Lodge
• Acorn Lodge Parking Space Expansion Project
Grant funding has also helped Options for Life improve the buildings and environments used by the people we support.
At Acorn Lodge, funding has supported the installation of air conditioning in key areas used by participants with profound and multiple learning disabilities, helping provide a safer and more comfortable environment during warmer weather.
At Oak Green Lodge, funding has supported further air conditioning improvements and the replacement of outdated windows with more energy-efficient alternatives, creating a more comfortable and consistent environment.
Funding has also supported additional parking at Acorn Lodge to improve accessibility, safety and access for participants, families, staff and vehicles.
These improvements help us maintain safe, accessible and welcoming environments in which participants can receive support and take part in activities.
Funded with support from: Saintbury Trust, The Eveson Trust, National Lottery Community Fund – Awards for All, and The Roger & Douglas Turner Charitable Trust.
RENAMED FROM:
· Enhancing Well-being Through Holistic Yoga and Creative Therapies: A Community Mental Health Initiative for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism and PMLD
Our Health & Wellbeing Programme supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of adults with learning disabilities, autism and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) through accessible, person-centred activities.
The programme provides participants with opportunities to take part in a range of wellbeing workshops and therapeutic activities designed around their individual needs and abilities.
Activities include approaches that support relaxation, mindfulness, stress management and emotional wellbeing, alongside creative opportunities such as art therapy and expressive activities within drama sessions.
These activities give participants different ways to express themselves, develop coping strategies, build emotional resilience and enjoy positive experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
The programme recognises that wellbeing looks different for every person and provides accessible opportunities for participants to engage in ways that are meaningful to them.
Funded by: Sandwell Council Better Mental Health Strategy grant scheme – £17,156.30.