Meet the Team
Our Trustees
​The Board makes decisions about our strategic direction and is ultimately responsible for the management and conduct of the charity.
Amrit was appointed as Vice Chair to the Board in 2022. Having grown up in Sandwell, Amrit is passionate to support local charities thrive within the community. Amrit has over 15 years’ experience in Further Education providing services to Young People and Adults with learning difficulties. In 2017, Amrit was nominated as Staff Governor at Burton & South Derbyshire College and is currently active as a Director of Curriculum. He works with local Health & Social Care agencies to increase the awareness of both physical and mental disabilities to positively influence attitudes towards disability inclusivity. More recently, he is involved in delivering the National Disability Strategy, enabling young people with special education needs or disability to sustained employment. In addition, Amrit also manages a family-owned commercial & residential property business in Sandwell. He leads on providing emergency social housing to members of the community in need, collaborating with agencies such as the local authority, housing charities & probation service.
Amrit Virk
Chair
Cesar has held Director-level roles within multiple organisations in the professional body sector, such as ICAEW, CIPD, CIMA, and internationally with the AICPA. He started his career as a Publisher but more recently has led commercial product development/product management/learning consulting teams focused on continuing professional development products and services. Cesar is also currently an Advisory Board Member for two companies - one in the AI retail app space, and one in the leadership/management training space. He is very much looking forward to working with the Board and the Options for Life teams, supporting them and adding value wherever possible.
Cesar Alvarez
Ariecho was appointed as Vice Chairperson in 2024 and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to contribute towards providing personalised care for adults, locally, with learning disabilities and/or autism. Therefore enhancing the building based day-outreach service including the PMLD services. She has acquired skills that intersect with Boardroom strategy, consisting of over 17yrs in the built environment and 6yrs in M&A space - to add value via ie, C-Suit: governance, strategic thinking and review, leadership, financial acumen, partnerships, communication, project management, creative problem solving, adaptability, commitment to excellence, industry expertise, ethical judgement and integrity. Currently, she is Vice Chairperson, Strategic Trustee and Treasurer for three other charities that contribute immensely to strengthening local communities. She is, also, a Chairperson and Founder of Autistic Community Canvas. A charity that offers local communities Autistic Art Programme that enhances children's and adult's personal growth and community engagement through expression and communication. An advocate for global-community and empathy.
Ariecho Gros
Vice Chair
Anthony was appointed as a Trustee in 2024. Throughout his career, he has held Director and Board-level positions across a diverse range of organisations and industries. With the majority of his career in Marketing and Commercial functions, Anthony has held leadership and governance positions in businesses of all sizes, from small family-owned enterprises and SMEs to large global multinationals. He now runs his won Executive Coaching and Consulting business. Anthony says, "I am excited to join the Options for Life board and eager to support the ongoing efforts to fulfil OFL's inspiring mission and vision for individuals with learning disabilities."
Anthony Downes
Currently Interim Financial Controller for Japan House London. Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1989 Rosina has worked for an international quarrying & brick company, Lloyds TSB and most recently she was acting Chief Executive for a group of Trade Associations based in the Jewellery Quarter. Rosina has experience as a non-executive director and has worked with various charities. She is very much looking forward to joining the board to support the work of Options for Life and learning more about the work and the challenges, as well as the successes.
Matthew Small
Our Senior Leadership Team
Lesley joined Options for life in 2017. She has worked in the voluntary sector for over 25 years. Lesley previously worked in community development supporting local charities and community groups to develop, grow and sustain their activities.
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Lesley wants to ensure that the high quality service delivered at Options for Life not only continues but grows and develops with the input from participants, staff and volunteers. Lesley is our CQC Nominated Individual.
Lesley Shorthouse
Head of Operations
Nicola joined Options for Life in October 2017, She comes with previous experience in Further Education and Business Support, Private Sector Schools and the NHS. Nicola has had several different roles over the years and has always worked with young people, adults and local communities. Nicola’s previous role was “Head of Operations” here at Options for Life. Nicola had overall responsibility for ensuring the effective management and delivery of the hubs by ensuring all business deliverables were completed to a consistently high standard, within budget, to agreed success criteria, and delivered the expected business benefits.
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Nicola is a dedicated and passionate individual and will work hard towards creating positive changes for adults with learning disabilities and /or autism.
“By involving our participants in the development and delivery of our services we want to ensure we continually meet their needs but also exceed these. This will provide empowerment, personal development and opportunities in the local community and beyond”.
Nicola is excited by the opportunity to further grow and develop Options for Life into an innovative and responsive organisation providing excellent services.
Nicola Thomson
CEO
David oversees the financial control of the organisation and will let our trustees and managers know current and projected levels of expenditure and income and the level of our bank balances.
David is relatively new to Options For Life, he joined in August 2019 but he has been an accountant for over 30 years largely with local councils. He likes to stay active and enjoys running and cycling and attending music concerts.
David Smith
Head of Finance
Mandy is the Support Team Manager at Acorn Lodge, which is for participants with PMLD - complex needs (Profound and Multiple Learning disabilities). Mandy has worked at Options for Life since 1997 and during that time has worked at every hub.
Mandy returned to Acorn Lodge in December 2017, the hub has changed considerably in that time with the introduction of the new “Zone” which offers a range of sensory experiences for participants.
Mandy loves nothing more than to go out for meals and has a strong passion for football (mentioning no teams). Mandy fostered a young boy and later adopted him, Mandy’s son Wayne is fun, loving and autistic, which makes him the fantastic man he has now become.
Mandy Critch
Support Team Manager
Acorn Lodge​
Clare is a Support Team Manager for outreach. Clare started working at Options for Life in 2012. Clare really enjoys the variety of her job as with so many participants no two days are the same.
Clare champions Positive Behaviour Support coaching and is passionate about sharing her skills with other managers and staff . In her spare time Clare enjoys musical theatre and all things Italian, so far she has been lucky enough to visit Florence, Rome and Venice. However, she says that it would take too long to list all the musicals she has been to see as it must be well over 50.
Clare Hudson
Support Team Manager
Outreach
Louise is the Support Team Manager for Outreach. Louise joined Options for Life in January 2014 as a support Worker and has moved up to Assistant Team Manager and then subsequently to Support Team Manager.
Louise loves her job and is passionate about making sure the participants have a fun and interesting schedule based on their individual interests. Louise enjoys going to the theatre and is an avid animal lover.
Louise Elliot
Support Team Manager
Outreach
Middle Management Team
Simon is our Finance Officer and joined Options for Life in October 2000. His previous experience was in the retail sector managing a large team covering the Midlands.
Options for Life gave Simon a total career change and he has never looked back. Simons tasks include sending customer invoices, paying supplier bills and most importantly staff wages.
Away from work Simon enjoys walking in the countryside and wants to explore all parts of Britain with his wife and children.
Simon Williams
Finance Officer
I’m the Deputy Team Support Manager at Acorn Lodge, working with participants with PMLD. I joined Options for Life in 2008 as a support worker. I love my job and I’m passionate about making sure the participants have a fun-filled day, by working on the schedules to make sure we are catering for participant's individual needs. My time here has been so awarding knowing I’m making a difference to our participants' life and seeing how happy it makes them. In my spare time, I like spending time with my family and friends and going on holiday.
Rebecca Clark
Support Team Manager,
Acorn Lodge
Jack Foster
Deputy Support Team Manager
Outreach
I began my journey with Options for Life in January 2015, joining as an apprentice support worker. One year later, in January 2016, I was offered a full-time support worker position.
One of my most rewarding achievements has been the development and success of the Options for Life football team, which meets every Wednesday at Goals Dudley. In March 2024, I became Options for Life's designated CPI Instructor, and then later in the year, November 2024, I was promoted to Deputy Support Team Manager two days a week, and the other 3 days I will continue as a Support Worker.
Outside of work, I love spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new places both near and far, and enjoying great food. A football enthusiast, I enjoy both playing and watching. I play every Sunday in goal for my Sunday league team, Tividale Wonder FC and I support West Bromwich Albion.
Head Office
Jeorgia works as the HR admin assistant, she really enjoys working at Options for Life and started here in 2017.
She also works on reception where she enjoys greeting participants, parents/ carers, and visitors. Jeorgia loves shopping, going to concerts and planning her next holiday in the sun!
Jeorgia Nasser
Human Resource Admin Assistant/Receptionist
Maruf is the Fundraising and Communications Officer at OFL and joined the team in April 2021. He has vast fundraising experience, and now he wants to leverage his skills to fundraise for OFL participants.
He is also involved with the marketing strategies of OFL. In addition, Maruf loves to visit places with his family to explore the natural beauty of the United Kingdom. He likes to read books, listen to music and watch movies.
Maruf Ahmed
Fundraising and Communications Officer
I joined Options for Life as a part time evening receptionist almost 14 years ago, December 2009. I had always worked in admin prior to my role at OFL. In 2011, I was approached about doing some Support Work, which I said yes to and never regretted taking on this new role. In 2012 I made the decision and left Reception and became a full time Support Worker and continued in that role until January 2023. In January 2023 I moved back into Admin as Service Delivery Admin Support. I have enjoyed all of my roles within OFL and feel that it has been a privilege to work with such a good Staff Team. My role as a Support Worker was very fulfilling and I am so glad I had the opportunity to work closely with the participants. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family (especially my 3 grandchildren) and friends. I enjoy weekends away with my husband. I love to read and I enjoy good food and wine.
Jill Green
Service Delivery Admin
Vicky joined Options for Life in 2012 after having spent 19 years with a local authority (Sandwell Council).
During this time she has remained part of the reception team in addition to providing administrative support firstly to Oak Green Services and more recently the Facilities and Maintenance team.
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Facilities and Maintenance is a completely different role for Vicky, she enjoys the variety of work involved and is finding that she’s learning new tasks every day!
Outside of work Vicky enjoys shopping, meeting up with friends and is currently deciding on where to book a City break.
Vicky Collins
Facilities and Maintenance Admin Assistant/Receptionist