OPTIONS FOR LIFE
Provide high quality and coordinated services to all participants which is responsive, flexible and sensitive to their changing needs, enabling them to play an active part in their local community.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income surplus of £197,560 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted funds of £1,769,605. The trustees maintain a designated reserve of £400,000 to manage financial risks, leaving approximately £600,000 in free balances. The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“There was one employee whose annual emoluments were in the band £60,000 to £70,000.” — page 21
“There was one employee whose annual emoluments were in the band £60,000 to £70,000.” — page 21
“Adult social care — Sandwell MBC 1,594,544” — page 18
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £60,000 or more (FY2024) to £60,001 - £70,000 (FY2025).
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "within" (FY2024) to "above" (FY2025).
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 03341420
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Nicola Thomson — CEO
Company officers (Companies House)
- SIMMONDS, Beverley on trustee list
- DOWNES, Anthony Micheal on trustee list
- ALVAREZ, Cesar on trustee list
- VIRK, Amritpal Singh on trustee list
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Amritpal Singh Virkchair
- Anthony Michael Downes
- Beverley Simmonds
- Cesar Alvarez
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £2.2m | £2.0m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.7m | £1.7m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.5m | £1.7m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.4m | £1.6m |
| 31/03/2021 | £1.7m | £1.4m |
Common questions
Is OPTIONS FOR LIFE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income surplus of £197,560 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted funds of £1,769,605. The trustees maintain a designated reserve of £400,000 to manage financial risks, leaving approximately £600,000 in free balances. The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Feltons.
What does the highest-paid employee of OPTIONS FOR LIFE earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds OPTIONS FOR LIFE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name OPTIONS FOR LIFE as a grant recipient include THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST, THE SAINTBURY TRUST, THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £20k | Learning Disability |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £10k | Learning Disability |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £10k | Care of People with Learning Disabilities |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £8k | |
| THE SAINTBURY TRUST | FY2024 | £5k | Relief of those in Need by reason of Youth, Age, Ill-Health, Disability, Financial Hardship or other Disadvantage |
| THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £4k | Education and Training |
| THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | Compassionate Support |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £1k | |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £500 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 10/12/2025 | £1k | Goals for Growth! |
| Sport England | 06/07/2012 | £9k | 2012 inspired sports |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 09/01/2007 | £2k | Oak Green Garden Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/04/2005 | £2k | Look Good Feel Great |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/11/2004 | £3k | Landscaping oak green lodge |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| IMPETUS - THE PRIVATE EQUITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £400k |
| WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION | 1 | £384k |
| THE YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £337k |
| THE JECDA FOUNDATION | 1 | £234k |
| TARPORLEY WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TRUST | 1 | £116k |
| THE STEVEN BLOCH IMAGE OF DISABILITY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £91k |
| THE ROAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £80k |
| THE CHRISTOPHER AND HENRY OLDFIELD TRUST | 1 | £75k |
Charities like this
- INDEPENDENT OPTIONS (NORTH WEST)
- OPTIONS FOR SUPPORTED LIVING
- VOLUNTEERING MATTERS
- SHARING LIFE TRUST
- DISABILITY POSITIVE
- COMMUNITY CARE OPTIONS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPTIONS FOR LIFE | £2.2m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| INDEPENDENT OPTIONS (NORTH WEST) | £5.4m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| OPTIONS FOR SUPPORTED LIVING | £11.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| VOLUNTEERING MATTERS | £5.7m | — | — | below | — | material uncertainty |
| SHARING LIFE TRUST | £108k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| DISABILITY POSITIVE | £4.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |