Our Approach to Support

Options for Life has been supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism in Sandwell since 1988.
 

Our support is designed around each individual's needs, abilities, interests and aspirations. We work with participants to build confidence, develop communication and social skills, increase independence and have greater choice and control over their lives.
 

Our experienced staff work alongside participants, families, carers and other professionals to ensure that support remains appropriate as individual needs and aspirations change.
 

Choice, Independence and Inclusion
 

We want the people we support to have meaningful choices, develop their independence and have opportunities to participate in and contribute to their local communities.
 

We respect each person's dignity, privacy, individuality and right to make informed choices. Our services are inclusive and we work to understand and respond to individual cultural, religious, communication and accessibility needs.
 

Our services 
 

Options for Life provides a range of day opportunities and community-based support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex support needs across Sandwell.
 

Our services are person-centred, with support and opportunities tailored to each participant's individual needs, interests, abilities and goals.
 

Acorn Lodge & Ocker Hill
 

Acorn Lodge in Oldbury and Ocker Hill in Tipton provide specialist day opportunities for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex support needs.
 

Our person-centred support is adapted to each individual's needs, abilities and communication, with opportunities that promote wellbeing, engagement, choice and meaningful personal outcomes.

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​Oak Green Lodge
 

Oak Green Lodge provides day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, with a focus on developing skills, building confidence, increasing independence and taking part in meaningful activities.
 

Participants have opportunities to make choices, build relationships, try new experiences and take part in activities both at Oak Green Lodge and within the wider community.

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​Outreach Service
 

Our Outreach Service supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to access activities, opportunities and experiences within their local community.
 

Support is based around each participant's individual interests, needs and goals, helping people develop confidence, independence, everyday living skills and social connections while accessing their local community.
 

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​​What You Can Expect
 

Support is planned around the individual and the outcomes they would like to achieve. Depending on the service and the person's individual needs and interests, this may include opportunities to:
 

• develop everyday living and independence skills;

• improve communication and social skills;

• build confidence and relationships;

• take part in meaningful activities;

• access local facilities and community activities;

• develop new interests and experiences; and

• work towards individual goals and outcomes.

• The activities and opportunities available vary across our services. Visit our individual service pages to find out more about the support, facilities and activities available at each location
   

Developing Skills and Independence

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Our support is about more than taking part in activities. We work with participants to identify what they would like to achieve and create opportunities for them to develop skills, confidence and greater independence.
 

Individual goals and outcomes are regularly reviewed so that we can recognise progress and ensure that support continues to reflect the person's needs and aspirations.