Company number 3341420
Charity number 1064848
Options for
r)life
OPTIONS FOR LIFE
(A Company limited by GuarAntee)
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2021

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
LYDEX
Charity Informatioo
Directors, and Trusttts. Report
Report of the Audltors
Ststejnellt of FiDaD¢ial Activitles
io
B¥lan¢¢ Sh¢e¢
li
Casb Flow Statement
12
Notes to the Finatteial Ststements
13

## **OPTIONS FOR LIFE** 

## **CHARITY INFORMATION** 

## **Directors** 

Alan Daffern Harriet Moat Deborah White Nicholas Kirby Alma Aganovic Rebekah Roebuck 

## **Charity Number** 

1064848 

## **Company Number** 

3341420 

## **Charity correspondence address** 

Oak Green Lodge Oak Green Way Oldbury West Midlands B68 8LR 

## **Auditors** 

Mazars First Floor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX 

## **Bankers** 

Lloyds Bank plc 125 High Street Birmingham B17 9NP 

## **Chief Executive Officer** 

Nicola Thomson 

1 



oprioNS FOR LIFE
DIRECTORS. AND TRUSTEES, REPORT
The Directors present iheir report and fllwicial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.
GoY¢rnitLg Docujnent
The organisation is a charitable COllLpany liinited by guarantee, incorporaied on 27 March 1997 and registered as a
Cbariiy on 13 Ociober 1997. The CO￿panY was established under a Memorandum of Association which
established the obje¢is and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articl¢s of Association. In
Ihe event of the company being wound up the members ar£ required to contnbute an amount not exc¢¢ding £1.
Director5 •lld Trustees
The Board of TNstees is the gov¢rnin¥ body of the chan'ty. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the
mpany. Selection of Trusie¢s is by application to the Board of Trustees and is managed by the Chair and broughi
Board of Trustees Meeiings for approval. Selection of Directors is by a vote of the Trnstees. The policy is to
r￿[u1¢ people to be Tn￿￿e$ with knowledge. s&ills and experience relevant to the aims and objectives of the
charity. Docutnellts detailing the legal structure, organisatio￿ fmances and managernent of the company, which
are regu]￿lY reviewed. are provided ¢0 all Board of Tntstee mernbers to facilirate effective governance of the
charity. In additioty they are provided with training suppon and practical experien¢e of the day to day running of
the charity.
The Board of Trust¢¢s rn¢¢ts on a regular basis to llLanage the affairs of the charity and formulate policy. The
Chief Executive manag¢$ the day to day n￿￿illg of the charity asslsted by Full time and part tirne empltsyees.
No Trustee receives any payment for ¢wing out their duties and none of the trust¢¢s has any beneficial intertgt in
the company.
Rlsk Managem¢nt
A rjnallce conmiittee, which iThclude8 representati¢)n from the Board of TnJstee5, meets regularly to assess finattcial
plaDDing Mat￿r$ and r¢view measures to Gontrol risk. A comprehensive risk register is carried out anttually and
reviewed bi-aJ)nually.
Exiernal risks, which primarily c¢)ncern funding, are continua]ly addressed by closely tnanagiog the quality and
cost effectiveness of all our contracts. identifying are&8 for new grant applications and ensuring adequate cash
rese￿e$ are constantly ￿aIntained.
An on-goiDg review of key operdtional and financial prwess¢s and procedures combitie ￿ miugat¢ against any
potential internal control w¢aknesse5.
Missloll and VIsioD Statement
"We h¢lp people with learning disabilities anWor autism to fulfil their potential and live a ￿11 and hwy life
within their community"
ObJectiv¢s of tbe Chartty
The charity's objectiv¢s ar¢ to enable people with learning disabilities to advance thelr personal development and
lead a full life within the ¢omrnunity.
The aims and policles adopted in fi￿ther￿￿e of these objectives are: _
To work in parth¢rship wid4 and complementary to, other service providers.
To pn)rnote equality of leisure, s￿la1, WOTk and recreational opportunities within the community for people
with a learning disabiliry andlor autism.
To increase public awareness of the positive wntribution that people with a leaming disability catj make.
To rtto8nise different abiliii¢s and needs and aim to respond to these on an individual basis.
To treat staff, volunteers and people witlL leaming disabilities an(Vor autism with equal value.
These were changed alld adOp￿d by special resolution on 20 February 2017 and are now as follows.. -

oFrIoNS FOR LIFE
DIRECTORS. AND TRUSTEES. REPORT
The Charity's object￿ are for the pllblic benefit..
> The enablement of people with learning disabilities andlor autism to and advance their personal development
and to integrate inio and lead a full life within the community.
The advancement of public awareness of the needs of the contribution made by people with learning
disabilities andltsr autism.
> The development and dissemination of good prdctice in relation to the support and personal development OE
people with learning disabilities andlor autism.
Review of Aetivities and the Impaet of the Covid 19 outbreak
The chanty nortnally operdt¢s from a nU￿ber of locations aeross Sandwell, providing support and Opporti￿ltIeS
for people with learning disabilities andlor autism. OD Monday 23 Ma￿￿ 2Q20 Sandwell Council announced tbat
11 day ¢entres were to close and subsequently all $upp(Trrt activities had io stop. Tbis had a huge detritnelltai itnpa¢t
not only for Options for Life but a150 to our parti¢ipants.
All suppon staff were placed on ￿rItsugh leaving 9 head offic¢ staff Working from home. During that titne the
priority was to adapt our Service ￿ be in a position to offer Support to our most vulnerable parti¢ipaDts. On July
2nd 2020, we began offeriug an Outreach setvice. This service was off¢ring our participallts tbe opportunity to
have one to one 5UPEK)rt out in the community from l Lo 6 hours per day, 5 days per week (depending on
contrdcts). This proved successfvl, however witb the additioDS of lo¢aVnauonal lockdowns sO￿e fa]nIlie￿Carer.
didn't feel confident Sending their loved ones out for support. This impac￿1 on the hours of support which
fluctuated froin July 2020- March 2021. However it has Steadily grow￿ in July 2020 we were providin¥ support
to 42 participants {890 hours per monthl compared to 71 parti¢ipants having 2.260 hours of support in March
2021.
In the early days of the new outreach support the knock on ¢ffect from this was not enougb hours of work for all
support siaff. In Novetnbu 2020 we unfortunately took the de¢isiou to announce that all $upptrrt worker jobs were
at risk of redundallcy. In total we l￿d 5 rcsignations, 7 voluntary r¢dundan¢ies end 6 compulsory redundancies
whil¢ 5 fv11 time support workers requested to drop one day a week This was a tothl full tt]ne equivai¢nt
redu¢ti¢)n of19 support workers.
The charity had operated a social business. Oak Green Services, whi¢h provid￿ Dty aJLd gardening service4 ¢0 the
lo¢al ¢ommuniiy. The supervisor handed theii notice ID 2 weeks prior to the covid outbreak and due to the initial
lo¢kdown a decision was n￿le to not re•employ and contillue with th25 ventt￿e. Oak Green ServAces ceased
April 2020.
A¢htevements made in the year included..
Sign off of tbe n¢w Business Development Plan.
Submission of CQC registration for domiciliary $upporL
Successful 2 year acereditation with Investors in People.
Grant fijnded new "Sensory Garden" at Acorn Lodge iticluding a wheelchair swing and percu&sio
instrnments.
Geneial rnaint¢twJce improvements and re-dKorotion across all our building hubs.
Succes¥fully moved fonvard offering Outreach supporL
Regisiered with Kickstart for 2 new appreniices.
New IT hardware installed across the organisation to include Windows 10.
Public BeDefil
In plamiing our activities, th¢ T￿￿tee8 and management team keep in mind the Cbarity Commission'g guidance on
public benefit. We welcome all clients regardless of p¢rsonal ba¢kgrounC fall￿ gellder or personal circumstance8
and we believe this philosophy of openness to all enri¢h¢s ¢veryone through the sharing of 8ki118 aptitudes and life
experiences of our client group. Our objectives alld funding limit ihe servtces we provide mostly to adults with
learning disabilities andlor auttsm. We are aware that adults with learning dis&bJ]ities andlor autisrn have relatively
poor access to health services in relation to the public as a whole and we have a strong focus on breaking down the
barriers to access these in order to improve both the quality of b'fe alld life expecrancy of our participants. The ages
of the adults with learning disabilities andlor autism that we support bas gradually increased a8 life expectancy has
increased over the last ten years. This has presented new challenges a8 they have had io ¢ope with an incttase in
age related health conth"tions. The impact of the work thai Options for Life does, goes far Ewond the individual

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
DIRECTORS. AND TRUSTEES, REPORT
participants that we support as their families are able to for far longer than they would otheThvise be able on
their own.
Review of f￿#￿tIll position
The income of the charity for 2020121 was £1,653,167 (2019120.. £2,195.7281 and ex￿ndI￿lre was £1,359.885
(2019120.. £2,109,400). This resulted in a net income surplus of £293.282 reducing to £285.036 if the restricted
fi￿dS surplus of £8.246 is excluded {2019120 nei surplus £86,328). The charity's balance sheet reflects an increase
in fl￿dS due to the 20201218urplus.
There was considerable uncertainty at the start of the f￿anCial year as fLmding arrangements with our main
commissioners during closure were being discussed. In the meantime OptiODS For Life stsrted to claim monthly
Job Retention Scheme grant from April 2020 for our ￿rIollgh staff. W¢ continued to claim this grani up to the end
of October 2020.
By October Sandwell Council {SMBC) had confjrnied their financial support package. Continuing to make
payments based on our level of provision prior to the Covid 19 outbreak alld ¢losuTe. This welcome financial
support provided stability. The continued SMBC support and government grant asyistance has offset our reduced
operational costg during 20121 and is the main reason for the fmal SUTpIu8 for 2020121.
Reserves policy
It Is the policy of the charity to establish designated reseTve ￿ndS to manage any potential financial risks to the
viability of the OTganization. The level tsf reserves links io tsur fManc1￿ assessment of riqks that the orKanization
faces over the medium terni 2-3 year period. In the light of the Covid-19 vin]s outbreak the charity faced
unprecedented fmancial uncertainty and in 2019120 the level of designated reseryes was significantly illcrea5ed to
£685.000. This refleC￿d increased potential operational deficits from reduced incLime as well as provisions for
sratutory obligations to sthff if the organization was forced to clos¢ and pot¢ntial additional on-going costs from
the rising Naiional Living Wage over coming years.
The basis of the reserves has been reviewed for this sthiement and our biggest fuwicial threat is ￿￿IntaInIng our
level of itiCOULe to covei all costs especially while doubts over re-opening dat¢s of buildiDXS and capacity levels,
retUrnll￿ participant numbers and ￿Ture contract tern￿ are uncertain. W¢ know there will be challenges presented
from continuing finan¢ial ausierity to local Councils and lo¢al Clinical collulli￿10llJng Groups {CCGI from where
much of our funding is derived. We have taken account of these factors and potential reduced income within our 2
year budg¢t proj¢¢tions and ¢onsider¢d oth¢r on-going risks such as the National Living Wage rises. As a result of
th¢$¢ risks it Is now ¢onsid¢red prudent to s¢t aside £712,000 within our designated reserves for the period from
20121 onwards.
The Senior Leadership Team and OUT th￿tee$ will coniinue to monitor ¢losely our risks and fllw)¢ial perfornian¢¢
during 2021122.
FulMr¢ Dev¢lopJllenls
On 5, November 2020 at an EGM meeiitig with the tsustees a new Business Dev¢lopment Plan ptoposal was
agreed and took place witb Rmmediatr effect. This considered a new business model aT￿ off¢r of our services in a
pobi Covid world and included a re8tructuTe of services and staff.
This will mod¢rni8¢ and redesign our offer with the of b￿(￿]￿8 tbe leading provider of services to ￿￿PIe
with learning disabilities andlor autism in S8ndwell. W¢ will hav¢ moved away ftt)m the notion of being a
'building based. service and focus on a fully community iniegrated, person-¢¢nt¢red delivery setvice.
We want to ensure that we tackle the irnpact of social isolation alld loneliness for people with leaming disabilities,
by enabling independence through work experience, paid employrnent and volLmteering. We recognise the impact
that self-directed gupport can offer people with learning disabilities andlor autism to have gr¢at¢r choice and
control ill th¢ir lives. We want to support our participauts to develop new skills and hold on to existill8 skL'II5,
wh¢th¢r this is supporting them in their own home or acce&8ing eommuniry sessions.
There is likely to be a move away from d8ily rates towards the intrrKlu¢tion of hourly rdtes for I: I suppon (cost
dependent on levels of support needed). Hours of servi¢es will b¢ d¢fllLed tbrougb parent&lcarers. participants and
So¢ial Worker￿L0¢81 AuthoTity and CCG. Any new support workers employed to meet demand are likely io join
Options f(Trr Life on flexible working contract$, rdther tban Mon- Friday. 9 till 5. This will give us more flexibility
to better meet the ￿tUre needs of our participaDts.

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
DIRECTORS, AND TRUSTEES. REPORT
Employees and Remuneratlon
The charity opentes policie5 based on a range of issues including those to ensure thai no diserimination 1$ made
against any employee or participant based on their disabilities, ttge, gender or ethnicity.
Due to financial uncertainty arising from Covid 19 outbreak ir was agreed by the trustees that no pay award could
b¢ agreed for staff from l April 2020.
During 2020121 all support worker and other staff on furlough have been paid at least 80fy/0 pay cven whilst our
buildings have been closed. Any worked hours and aecrucd l¢ave has be¢n paid at IOOD/o.
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from tbe European Union
The Trnstees hav¢ ¢onsidered the effect of the withdrawal of the United Kingdotn from the European Union and to
dale it has not had any material impact on the busine&8 of the charity.
Direetors l Trn$tee$
The Directors, who served during the period, are showTh below and all are twsttts.
Alan Daffern
Deborah WThite
Nick K￿)Y
Harriet Moat
Alma Aganovic
Rebekah Roebuck (appointed 20 July 20201
Indemnity provision for Directors
Indemnity insurdnce has been taken out for all Directors and Trustees for any pOt￿lIa1 claim risk io value of £2
Tnillion {2020 £2,000,000).
RespoD$ibilitle5 of Direetors l Trllst¢e5
The director8 are reswn$ible for preparing the fmanciai statements in ac¢ordanc¢ with applicabl¢ law and Unitsd
Kingdorn Generally Accept¢d Accounting Practice.
UK cornpaDy law requires the direcicprs io prep$￿ rUb￿CIal staL¢ments for ¢a¢h fuwicial year which give a ttue
and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the surplus or d¢fi¢it of the company for that period. tn
preparillg those f]Dancial statements. the directors are required to..
sele¢1 suitsble accounting polici¢5 8nd then apply them consi8tendy,'
rnake judgem¢nts and estimatrg that are re&sonabl¢ and PTuden(
slate wbetbei applicable UK accounting standards have i￿en followed. and
prepare the fitwicial staiernents on the going concem basis unless it is Inappropria￿ to presume that the
ompany will coniinue in business.
The directors are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy
at any time the financial position of the company and io etthle them to ensure that the financial statements comply
with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for the systern of internal control, safeguarding the assets
of the cornpany and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenuon 8nd detection of fraud and other
irregularitits.
The flnancial stsmients have been prepared in awordance with the acwunting policies set out in note l ol the
financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum aTJd Articles of Association. applicable law and
the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Praciice (FRSI 021."Accouniing and Reporting by Charities"
{effe¢tive October 2019).
In accordance with Company law, as the Company directors. we certify thatr.
so far as we are aware. there is no relevant audit infotmation of which the company's auditor is unaware..
and

ovrioNS FOR LIFE
DIRECTORS, AND TRUSTEES, REPORT
as th¢ dire¢iors of the company we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to Tnake
ourselves aware of any Televant audit infomjation attd to establish that the chan"ty's auditor is aware of that
information.
Auditor
Ma74rs LLP acted as auditor of the wrnpany throughout the year aDd will corttinue in o£fi¢e in accordancc with the
Companies Act 2006 section 487{2}.
En preparillg tILiS report, the Directors have taken advantage of the small cojnpanies exemption provided by section
415A of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by tbe l)oard on l Y OG6&<< ts L (
signed on its bebalf by
lla￿[et Moai
Co Chair of the Board of Trustees
Nicola Thomson
Chief ExKutive Officer.

INDEPEP4DENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
OPTIOJYS FOR LIFE
We have audited the fitjancial statements of Options for Life {the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2021
which ¢ompTi$e Stsien)ent of Financial Activities. the Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the
financial statements, including a sutnmary of signifjcant accounting policies. The fir￿)Cial reporting framewotk
that has been applied in their prq)aration is appltcable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stalldards, including
FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable ill the UK and Republic of Ire]and" (United Kingdom
Generally Aceepied Accounting Practice).
In our opinion. the f￿anCIal statements..
give a true and fasr view of the state of the ch4Tity's affairs as at 31 March 2021 alld of its income aryl
expenditure for th¢ y¢ar then ended.
have been properly prepared in accordance with Unit¢d Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
have been prepared in acc0Tdan￿ with the requir¢m¢nts of the Companxes Act 2(Ml6.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUK) (ISA8 IUK)) and applicable
law. Our tebpousibilili¢s under those standards are fi￿er described in the Audittsr's responsibilitie8 for the audit
of the financÉal stat¢menis seciion of our r¢port. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical
requirement5 that are r¢l¢vani to our auth"1 of the firw)cial statements in the UK. including the FRC'S Ethical
Stondard and we have fulfilled our other ethical reswnsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe
that the audit evidence we have obrained is &uffioi¢nr and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclu￿0￿8 r¢lAting to Eolng eoneern
In auditing the fmancial $tatement4 we have concluded that the tNstees' use of the 80ing concern b&sis of auounting
in th¢ preparation of the finawial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have perforne& we have not ideniified any material uncertaintie5 relating to events or
(Trnditions thaL I]￿1Vid￿allY or Collectively. may east significani doubt on the charivs ability to continu¢ as a going
co￿ern for a period of at least ¢welv¢ months from when the financial slatements are authorised for i&sue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trnstees with respect to goitig concern are d¢8¢ribed in the relevant
sections of this report.
Other iDforJllatlon
Tbe tru￿te¢S are res￿nsIble for the other inforniation. The other ]nfOrn￿tiOn comprises the infom)ation included in
the Direct(Frs and T2USteeg Rq￿rn Other than the fllwicial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opillion
on the f]naDcial statements does not cover th¢ other inforniation and, except to the extent othenyise explicitly
stated ill our r¢port, we do not expresg any forn] of assurance conclusion thereon.
In ¢onne¢tion with our audit of the fmancial statements, our responsibility is to read the other infotmation and, in
doing so, ¢onsider whether the other infomiation is materially inconsistcnt with the fllmncial statements or our
knowledge obtained in the audit or othe￿ise appears to be rnaterially misstated. If we Identify such material
iuconsisten¢ies or apparent material misststements, we are required to deterniine whether there is a material
isstatemenr in the fmancial statements or a material misstaternent of the other imfottnation. If, based on the wo]
we have perfornie4 we conc]ud¢ thar there is a material misstatcment of this other inforniation, we are required to
report that fact.
We hve nothing to report in this regard.
Oplnlons on other matters pregeribed by tbe Companles Aet 2006
In our opinion, based on th¢ work undertakell in th¢ Course of the audit..
the inforniation gAv¢n in the Directors. and Tru#tees' Report for the fmaTJcial year for which th¢ fin8n¢ial
statement8 are pr¢par¢d is consistent with the financial slatements. and
the Directors, and Tn￿lee$. Report has been prepared in accordance with appli¢able legal requirements.

INDEPEIYDENT AUDrroRS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
OPTIONS FOR LIF
Matters wbich Trve aTe required to report by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its envirollmeni obrained in the ¢ourn¢ of the audiL
we have not identified material misstatemenrs in thc Directors, and TrLLStee's Report
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to whi¢h the C(>mpanies Act 2006
require8 us to ryort to you if. in Dur opini(>n'.
adequate and pioper accounting records have not been kept, or return$ ad￿u8￿ for our audir have not been
received from branches not VL$Lted by us. or
the f]t)ancial statements are not in agreement with the ￿cOUntIng record5 and retrJiiJs' or
certain disclosures of ￿￿tee8. remuneration specific by law are not made: or
we have not received all the Inforn￿lI0ll and explanati¢)ns w¢ require for our audit.
the Dir￿tors, were not entitled to prepare the f￿ancial Statements. in accordance with the small companies,
regime and tske advantage of the Small companies, exemplioll ill preparing the Directors, and Trusttt$'
Report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategi¢ Report.
Responsibilitles of Trustees
As explained more fully in tIL¢ trust¢e$' r¢$pollsibiliti&S 8tatement set out on page 6, th¢ ITUStees (who ate also tbe
directors of the ¢haritable cotupany for tbe purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparatioll of the
[￿ancIal Stat¢￿entS and for being satisfied that they give a ￿e and fair view, and for such illternal contrr>l a5 the
trustees deterrnille is neee8sary tL¥ enable tbe preparation of flnancial stat¢m¢Dts that are free fro￿ matcrial
tllisstatejnent. whether due to ftaud or error.
In preparing th¢ fJnan¢ial stat¢menLs, the trustees are reS￿nSIble for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a
going ¢on¢enL dis¢losing, as applicable, mattets related to going concern and using the going concern b&sis of
accol￿ting unless the tTUStees either intend to liquidaie the chariry or to c¢&se operations, or have no realistic
altetnative but to do so.
Audltor's respoDslblllde5 for the audit of the fjnancial statemellts
We have been appoinied as auditor under section 144 of the Chariiies Act 2011 and retK)rt in accordance with the Act
and relevamt regulaiions made or having effect thereunder.
OUT obje¢tsves are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the f]nancial Sta￿ments a5 a whole are free from
rnalerial misstatemenl whether due to fraud or error, al￿ to Issue an auditor's report that includes our optnion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a 8uarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with
ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatetnents can arise from fraud or error and
are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate. they ctsuld reasonably be eXP￿ted to infiuence the
economic decisions of users tsken on the basis of the financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in
line with our ￿ponsibIlItI28, outlined above, to deteci rnaterial misstatements in respect of irregularities. including
fraud. Based on our understanding of the Group and its acti￿tIes. we identified thai the principal risks of non-
compliance with laws and regulations relatcd io the anti-bribery, corruptitsn and fraud, money laundering. and we
considered the ex￿nt to whi¢h non-compliance might have a material effect oll the fmancial sralements. We also
considered those laws and regulaiions that have a direct impa¢t on the prepardtion of the fllvdncial statements, such as
the Charities Act 2011.
We evaluated the tnjstees. and managemeni's incentives and opp)rMnities for fraudulent matiipulation of tbe financial
gtatements (including the risk of override of controls) and detern)ined that the principal risks were related to posting
manual joumal entries io manipulate fmatjcial perforn]ance, management bias through judgements and assumption8 in
significant accounting esiimaies. in particular in relation ro fiu)d accounting, and significant one-off or unusual
transactions.
Our audir pro¢edure5 were designed to respond to those identified risks, including non-¢omplian¢e with laws and
regulations lirregularitiesl and fraud th&1 aTe material to the financial Stat￿ents. Our audii prO¢eth￿e5 included but
were not limited to=

II¥DEPELYDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
OPTIONS FOR LIFE
DiscU￿l￿g with the trusiees and managemeni their policies and prcrfedu￿ regarding cott¥li4nce with laws And
regulations.,
Communi¢aiing identified Ihws and regulations throughout our engagemeni *am and remaining alert to any
indications of non-complian¢c throughout our audi( and
Considemg tbe risk of acts by the ¢h4n'ty which were contrary to aM)]icable laws and regulaiions. including
frau
Our audit procedures iti relati¢)n to fraud included but were noi limiied to..
Making enquiries of the trustees and mana8ement on whether ihey had knowledge of any actual, su4wted or
alleged frau￿.
Gain]ng an understanding of the Énternal eorttrol$ ¢5tablished to mitigate risks related to frau￿.
Discussing amongst the engagemeni team the risks of fraud. and
Addressing the risk8 of fraud through mana8ement override of controls by puforming journal entry testing.
There aTe intrLerent liniitaiions in the audit procedure$ described above and the primary respo￿*1b11Ity for the prcvention
and detection of irregularities including fraud re$ts with rnanagement. A% with any audit, there remained a risk of non-
detection of irregularities, as th¢sc may involve collusion, forgery, int¢ntiona] omissions, mi8representhtions or the
override of internal controls.
A ￿rther description of our r¢3pon5ibilitiey for th¢ audit of the financial slatements is located on the Financial
Reporting Counetl's websit¢ at www.f￿.oTg.UklaUdi¢Orsre8PonslbI1lt1e8. This d¢scription fornis part of gur auditor's
report.
Use of the audlt report
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Aci 2011 and report in ￿¢Ordance with the Act
and regulations tnade or having effect thereunder. Our restonsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial
Staiemerttg in accordance with applicable law and Ln¢eTn8tional Swidards on Auditing IUKI. Those standards require
us to comply with the Financial iiewTrrting Coun¢il's Ethical Standard. Our audit work has bttn undertaken 80 that we
mighi stsie io the clwi"ty's tsustee8 those rnatters we are rtquircd to sthte to them in au auditor's report alld for DO
other PUTP)5e. To the ￿lIest extent pcrmitted by law. we do not acccpt or &%sume resrK)nsibility to anyone other than
th¢ ¢hariry and the Ch￿lty. ts￿￿eeS as a body for our audit work. for this report. or for opinions we have fortlled.
Vincenl Marke {Senior Statutory Audiior)
for arml on behalf of Ma7Ars LLP
Chartcred Accouniants and Sta￿tory Audiior
First Floor
Two ChAmberlaiD Square
BinDill8h&
B3 3AX
17 December 2021

OPTiof4S FOR LIFE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating Income and Exp¢nditure Actoruli)
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Total
funds
2021
Total
funds
2020
Restricted Designated
funds
fund$
re5tri¢ted
funds
Notes
Ineome from:
Donations & legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading a¢tiviti¢s
Env¢$tm¢nts
S.189
5.189
1.616.872 1,633.055
10,500
10,500
4,423
4,423
2.590
2.176.534
12.185
4,419
16,183
16.183
X.636,984
1,053,167
2,195,728
Expenditure on:
aritable activtties
7,937
IJSI.948 IJ59.885
2.109,400
7,937
1.351.948
1.359J85
2,109,400
Nei incojne
8,246
285.036
293,282
86.328
Transfer between fimds
27,1100
{27,000)
Net rnovement in funds
8,246
27,000
258,036
293J82
86.328
Reeonciiiation of fulld5:
Total funds brought forward
23,230
685,000
IA61,224 2,169.454
2.083.126
Total fvnds ¢arried foJi¥ard
31A76
712,0110
,719.260 2.462,730
2,169,454
The notes on pages 13 to 23 fonn part of these fjnaneial statements.
There were no recognised gains or losses other than those in the Ststement of Financial Activities.
All surplu8cs are a result of coniinuing activities as one-off ￿tIVI(1e$ are strncttJr¢d so as to prothi¢¢ no surplus or deficit.
10

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
BALANCE SHEET
A5 at 31 March 2021
CompaDy No. 3341420
Notes
2021
2020
Fixed asset$
Tangible assets
Investmenr8
1.265,441
,284,495
10
Current assets
Debtors
CAsh at bank and in hand
32,687
1214,440
175,568
788.833
1,247,133
964.401
Ltabillties
Credirors: Amounts falling in less
than one year
10
(49,838
179.4521
Net curr¢llt a3￿18
1,197395
884.949
Total assets
2,462,736
2.169,454
The Funds of the eharlty
Restricted fund$
31,476
23.230
Unrestricted funds
Designated fimds
UnrestriGied fillLd5
712,0(MJ
1,719,260
685,000
1,461,224
2,462,730
2,169,454
These fmancial statements have E*en prepared in accordance with th¢ sp¢oi8L provisions relating lo companie8 subject
the small tompanies regillJ¢ within Pan 15 of the Compallies Act 2006.
Approved and autborlsed for iwue by the BDard on 18th Oetober 2021
and slglled oll th¢ir behalf by:
Harriet Moat
Cts Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Nicola Thomson
Chief Executive OtTicer.
The uotys 1)n pages 13 to 23 forni part of these fJn8neial staiements.

OPTIOL¥S FOR LIFE
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
As At 31 Imarch 2021
Company No. 33414211
2021
2020
Cash Ilows from operatiRg getivitie$:
Net C&sh u￿d ill operating activities
449,203
123,966
Cash flows investing activities:
Dividends. interest and rent ftom investments
Proceeds from the sale of investtnents
Putchase of property. plant a[￿ equiprnent
4,424
io
(28,024)
4.419
(28,944)
Net ¢&sh provid¢d by investing activities
(23,590)
(24,525)
Re¢oncili4tiou ofuet cash flow to movement in funds
Chang¢ in Cash and cash eouivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalenis at l April
425,613
788.833
99,442
689,391
Cash and catsh equivalents 8t 31 March
1214,446
788,833
ReeoDclllatlon of next movtmellt funds to
et casb outllow from operatlnE aetlrftles
Net movemeni in fithds for the year ended 31 March 2021
293382
86.328
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Dividends. interest and rent from investments
Decreaselllncrease) in debtors
Encrease in other creditors
47.077
14,424)
142,881
(29,613)
40.681
(4,419)
7,726
{6,349)
Tr4et cash used In operatillg aetivities
449303
123,967
ADalysis of cash alld e*sh equivalettts
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
Notice deposits (more than 3 months)
Cash in hand
636,740
542,621
35,085
313.825
427.616
47.390
Cash and cash equivalents
1314,446
788.833
The notes on pages 13 to 23 fomi part of these fmattcial statements.
12

OPTIOP45 FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FIIYANCIAL STATEMENTS
For tbe year ended 31 March 2021
AccouDtiDg polieies
Options for Life in in¢o4)0ra￿d &$ a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (No.
3341420)
Basis of Aeeoulltlllg
The financial statements are prepared under the historical ¢081 conveniion. in accordance with Accounting and
Reporting by Charities; the Statement of Recommended Practtce applicable to Charities preparing their
accounts in a¢¢ordan¢e with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
(FRS1021 (effective I. January 2019) - {Chariiies SORP IFRS102}, the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of treland (FRS1021 and the Compattie$ Act 2006.
Income
Income is predomin￿l1Y grants. chuitsble service contracts and income from social business activities and is
recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when received or on completion of the delivery of the
specified tern￿ of the Setvice Level Agreement.
Expenditure
All ¢xPendi￿re is accounted foT on an accruals basi5 and is recognised where there is a legal or constnLctive
obligation to pay. Expenditure ha5 been classified under headings that aggregate all Costs related to th
category.
Charitsble expendilure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and includes
boih the direct and support costs relating to these activitie5.
Support cost$ CO]LSiSt OF central athninistration and property Costs. They would nornially be allocated equitsbly
behveen activities but du¢ to covid 19 closures these costs are sirnply disclosed in Note 4.
GovernaD¢e
Governance costs of the charity include those cosrs assocsated with meeting the constitutional and stattltory
requirements of the charity and include audit fees and costs to the strategic management of the charitabl¢
company. Details on governanee costs are shown in Note 4.
Fund Aecountill8
Unrestricted funds grc available for use at the discretion of the trustees in the fi￿ther4￿ce of the objective8 of the
Chariry unless the funds have been designated fi>r other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted fimd5 that have been set aside by the tNstees for particular purEK)ses or
to meet poteniial financial risk8 or pressures that the charity may fa¢e.
Restricir)J fvnds are subject to 4)ecific ternis and conditions by di>nors a5 to how they rnay be used.
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the Statem￿t of Financial Activities whell th¢ Charity h
unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Donated services and facilities
These are ollly included in incoming resources (with all equivalent amount in ￿Qu￿¢S expended) where the
benefit to the charity 1$ reasonably quantifiable. measurable and material. The value placed on these reSoU￿eS
is the estinydted value to th¢ ¢lwity of the service 01 facility re¢¢iv¢d.
Judgments ill apply5llg aCCOUDting polleles and key soureeg of estimation uDeertsinty
The ciwi.ty estimates and assumptions conceming the ￿ture. The resulting accounting esiitnates will. by
definition, seldom equal the related acwal results. The ttustees confirm th¢r¢ ar¢ no estimates and assumptions
that have a significant ri%k of ￿using a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of and liabilities
within the next f]nancial year.
13

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Accounting polici¢5 (tontitiutd)
V41ue Added Tax
VAT has been treated as irrecoverable by the Charity, due to the scale and type of activities being regarded as
exempi. To ensure th¢ charity co￿p1]eS with HMRC'S regulatory requirements both tlLe sources of income and
the aggrega￿ amounts that could collstityJ* vatsble supplies, are frequently reviewed.
Tanglble flxed assets and depreciatlon
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity are stated at cost less depreciaiion. Sin¢¢ April 2019 Individual iteItis
costing less ihan £5,000 are ￿itten off in the Statement of the Financial Activiiies.
Depreciation is prtsvided at rates calculated to write off the cost less eStill￿ted residual value. over their
expected useful lives.
Office equipment
Motor vehicles
25Q/o on a %traighi line basis
25°/o on a strnight line basis
Building- Leasehold
IOQ/o on a straight line basis
Building- Freehold
2°A on a straight line basis
Freehold land is not depreciated
Pettsiott tosts
The charity fuir￿ed its legal obligation iTh adopting the Governments Workplace Pension Scheme Aut
Enro]ment in October 2014 integrating this with the def]ned Gontributions pension scheme that was already part
of the rernuneration policy. Those employees who have opted for the minimum contribution of 5/0 of
peusionable Salary under aulo-enrolment nLle5 enjoy an employer's contribution of 4/, this incTeases to 50/
after 10 years service.
Etnployee Benefits
The ¢o$t of any unused holiday entitlement is r¢cognised in the period in which the employee's services are
received.
Tern)inatsoll benefits are recogni5ed immeth"ately as an expense when the Charity has cornmitted to tennina.
the employrnent of an employee or to proV￿e iemiinati¢)n ￿nefIts.
Going eoneerD
At the time of preparing the f￿an(la] ststements, the trustees have a reasonable eXp￿tatIOn that the Charity bas
adequate resources to continue its operatsonal existence for the foreseeable future. There are no other maierial
uncertainties that may cast a significant doubt aknut the Chariry's ability to continue os a going concern.
Therefore, the accounts have continued to be prepared on the 8oitig concem basis of a¢counting.'
There will be significant futslre challenges to be faced by the Charity. It is clear that the Chan'ty won't go back
to operating its services as they did before the ouibwak but there L5 now iti place a revised staff and business
odel looking to deliver new and flexible ways of service delivery.
Liability re￿gnitiO
Liabilities are recognised as soon as ther¢ 18 a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out
resoutces.
Op¢ratillg Itases
Rental costs under operdting leases ￿e charged to the income and expendibjrc account in equal annual
amounts over the period of th¢ l&w.
14

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMELYTS
For the year ended 31 Mareh 2021
lll¢ome
2021
2020
Restrlcted Income
Cbarltable actlvlties
Bally Thomas Charitabl¢ Fund
Skipion Buildiug Society Charitable Foundation
Sandwell MBC- Apprenticeship Scheme
SaDdwell MBC re notitsnal ground reni
Edward Gosiling Tntst
Sandwell MBC- Town Grants
Rowlands Trnst
Groundwork UK
Clothworker5 Foundaiion
Richardson Brothers FoundatLon
Alfred Haill¢s T￿￿t
10,000
1,983
3,824
4300
3,550
2,409
J.000
i.Doo
15.000
3,000
1,000
4.200
Totsl Rstricted income fro￿ charitable activities
16,183
34,983
Uore5trict¢d income
Charitable J¢tivitles
Adult social car¢- Sandwell MBC
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grallt- HMRC
Additional Restrictions Suppon Grani- SMBC
Direct payment5
NHS Sandwell & West Birmingham CCG
So¢ial business income
Neight￿VrIY Commurlity Fulld
W.E.D Charitable Trust
One to One Support- Sandwell MBC
Collllnunities in Sync- Better Care Fund
1,104.944
336.OS4
98JOO
68,138
1.197.549
449.574
427.554
52,712
(20)
41)0
51MI
8.350
11,412
2.750
Total unregtricted income from clwitable activities
I,616￿12
2,141.551
Total incotne from clwitable activities
1.633,OSS
2,176,534
Other trading activitles llleomt
A¢tivities, fund raising and sales of work
tnsurance settlement
Room hire charges
sU￿lUs on disposal of &8$ets
9223
9,800
2,412
550
71)0
io.s
12.185
15

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATE1v￿NTs
For the ye#r ended 31 M￿ch 21121
ExpeDdltllre
2021
2020
Charitsbl¢ S¢rvfice Operntlonal Costs
Direci staff￿g costs
Severance ¢o$ts
Indirect staff r¢lated costs
Premises, repaus and nmning Costs
Cleaning. personal protective equipTnenr and waste disposal
Vehicle and transtK)rt costs
Activities and materia]s
tr and ofifi¢e costs
Depreciation costs
Oak Green S¢rvi¢es materia]s
837,002
26,690
19.868
35588
14.651
39.436
4,007
8a30
41,649
1,345.085
11.591
26,021
75,680
17,745
104,913
96,844
13.394
28,762
14,983
Total eharitable (yerational ￿sts
1.028,lJ21
1,735,018
Mallagemeni and Support Costs
Governattce cost5
312.806
19.058
355,098
19284
Total clwitable expenditure
I ￿590$$
2.109,400
16

OFfioNS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEI¥TS
For tbe year eRded 31 Mareh 2021
Expendlture- Charltable activities
2021
2020
Management support costs
Salaries
Staff recruitment, trailling. travel, other
Office costs
External profe&sxollal support
Miscellaneous
Equipment depreciation
Vehicle costs
Pre￿i8¢S related costs
227,141
8,01
45,537
9,4S2
2J75
5,428
2.449
12,414
254,960
4,184
61,881
14.303
2.889
3.965
12,916
312,806
355,098
Govern4D¢e costs
2021
2020
Audit
Other illguran¢¢ Costs
Bank chargeg
Professional & conw1¢8ncy fee8
Miscellaneous
9,743
5,795
1,268
2,160
92
8,366
3,805
934
6,124
55
19,058
l9,284
Nel movernent ID funds for the y&
2021
2020
The net movement in fimds for the year is stated after charging..
Depreciation of ¢angiTrJle assets
Operating lease expenditure
Audit
47,077
33,S68
9,743
40.681
37,108
8,366
17

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCLIL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Staff costs
2(121
2020
Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Pension eosts
981,968
49,855
32J20
1.483,866
77.553
43,189
1,064,143
1,004,608
Number
Number
The averdge monthly number of staff employeAI by th¢ ¢harity
during tbe year was as follows:
Administrative
Project based
io
81
91
Employer beneflts to Senlor Management Team Metnbers
During the year to 31 March 2021 payllLellts to key members of the managem¢n¢ t¢arn in the fonn of salary
and pensioJJs amoullted to £127296. This con]pares with £124,527 for the prior y¢ar.
There were no ¢mploye¢s whos¢ annual ¢moluTll¢nts were £60.000 or more.
Termlnatlork Payments
ID 202012021 tbere were total ter￿]natiOn payments of £28.999 Tel￿lllg to redundan¢y, llotice period and
settlement payments for eighteen fomier employees. In 2019120 there w¢r¢ t¢rnlKD4ti0n payments of
£17.464.
Payments to Dtrectorsrrrus¢ees
In 2020121 remunerntion was paid ￿ ally trustee8.
There were exp¢n8e reimbursements of £92 paid to tnjstees in performing their duties in 2020121. There
were tn￿tee expew of £5 in 2019120.
18

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FLNA]YCIAL STATEMEP4TS
For the year ended 31 March 21121
Tangible fixed H$5ets for use by the ehkrity
Ofllce
Leasehold equlpment I
Improve-
fixiures
ments
& flttlngs
Freehold
properties
2021
Total
Vehlcle5
Cost
As at l April 2020
1,585.963
19,492
159,141
55.050
1.819,646
Additions
Dtspo5a18
28.023
28,023
{24,91>0)
{24.900)
As at 31 March 2021
1,585,963
19,492
187,164
30,150
1022,769
Depreciation
As at l April 2020
358.697
4,085
117,319
55.050
535,151
Charge for the year
Disposals
27.519
1,949
17,6(V)
47,077
(24,9110)
(24,900)
As at 31 March 2021
386.216
6,034
134,928
30,150
557J28
Net B(bok V4lue
As at 31 March 2021
1,199.747
13,458
52.236
1,26S,441
As at 31 March 2020
1.227266
15,407
41,822
1284,495
Land at ¢0St Carried fornvard £210,(K)O is not deprecIa￿d (2020 - £210,0(X))
Investment
2021
2020
Inveslment
10
This investtnellt was created from the forniatioll of th¢ ¢ompany Options For Work and comprised sh8re capital
of 10 shares at £1 each. The registered company {llumb¢r 07373367) was dissolved OTh 1613121 and the £10
invesimeni was returned back to Options For Life.
19

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINAP4CLiL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Debtors
2021
2020
Trade debtors
Pr¢paymellts & swidry debtors
11.273
21,414
154.788
20.780
32,687
175,568
Bank #nd e*8h
21121
2020
Bank accounts
Petty ea8h
1,211,884
2,562
782,220
6.613
1.214,446
788,833
Creditor8: Amounts f8lling due ID les5 Ihall one ye4r
2(J21
2020
Trade treditors
A¢¢n￿d expellses
Tax and social security
Pensions
Other ¢reditors
6,474
23,677
11,038
5J64
3,285
26,659
26,450
14.935
7,753
3,655
49,838
79,452
20

ovrioNS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FIL¥ANCVAL STATEMEI¥TS
For the year ended 31 MArth 2021
li
Fuf4DS
31
Mfireh
2021
I ApTiU
2020
Income Expenditure
Restrleted Funds
Sandwell MBC
Clothworkers Foundation
Richardson Brothers
Turner Ttust
Edward Gostling Fourtdation
Alfred Haines Charithble Tn￿(
Bally Thomas Charitable Fund
Skipton ChaTit&ble Fowldation
4200
{4,200)
{2,1861
15.0(K)
3,01)0
,038
3,342
850
12.814
3.000
692
2,987
(346)
1355}
{8501
10.000
1.983
iO,OOD
1,983
Totsl restricted funds
23,230
16,183
(7,937)
31,476
Fllrther informatl•n on the purpose grants received In 2020121 .
Sandwell MBC
A notion￿ grant for payment of rent for laT2d at Oak Green
Lodge
B8ily Thomas Charitable Fund
Being a contribution towards renovation impmements at tbe
Ashes Centre.
A grant towards the new outdoor s¢nsory garden at Acorn
Lod
e centre.
Skipton Charitable FoundatioTh
li
Unrestricted fullds
2021
2020
Unrestricred capital fimds brought forward
1,461224
1,824.197
Movement for the year
Transfer iolfrom Designated Funds
285.036
87,027
(27,000) {450,000)
Unresiricied fijndi carried forward
1,719,260
1,461224
Designated funds
2021
2020
Designated funds brought forward
Movetnent in the year
085.iMIO
27.000
235.000
450.000
Total designated fvnds carried fonwd
712,000
685.000
Total unrestricted funds
2.431,260
2.146.224

OFfioNS FOR LIFE
PIOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 March 2021
12
AD4iysi$ Det A$set$ betweett fwids
Other
net 855etsl
Ri3bilities
Tangib
Ilxed assets
Total
Restrlcted
31,476
31,476
Unrestrleted fuDds
Designated funds
Unrestricted fimd8
712,000
453.819
712,1100
1,719,260
1,265.441
1,265.441
1.197,295
2,462,736
13
Commitments under operating leases
At 31 March 2021 the CoD]patLy had roll]mitsnents under non-concellable leases in respect of minibuses
and photocopien".
2021
2020
Within (me year
Within two to five years
31,678
39,665
32,579
71,374
7AJ43
103,953
14
Post balance shert eveDts
There are no events that occurred after 31 March 2021 that are likely to signifieantly change what is presented in
the fmancial statements or have an impact upon the stattw of the organisation as a going concern.
Is
Pen8ion Commitment
The Charity operates a defjned ¢ontrl)uti¢)n scheme. The &8sets of the scheme are held separately from those of
the Charity in an imdependently administered fimd. The pension cogt represents contributions payable by tILe
ctwity to the ￿nd and amounted to £32,320 (2020 £43,189). At 31 March 2021 contributions arnounling to
£5.364 (2020: £7,753) were payable to the fund and are in¢lud¢d in ¢reditor&
22

OPTIONS FOR LIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ¢nded 31 March 2021
16
ststement of Ilnanelal aetlvities 2020
Total
funds
2020
Restricted Dcsignated Utwestiicted
fimds
t)ds
funds
Noteg
Income from:
Do]]ations & legactes
Charitable activities
Other trading activitre$
Investments
2,590
2.141,551
12,185
4,419
2,590
2,176,534
12,185
4,419
34,983
34,983
2,160,745 2,195,728
ExPendI￿re on:
Clwitable aetivities
35.682
2,073,718 2.109.400
Net (expellditur¢) l income
(699)
87,027
86J28
Transfer benyeen fi￿d&
450.0(X)
(450,000)
N¢¢ movement in fimds
(6991
450,0
(362973)
86,328
Reron¢i]iatlon of fwids:
Total fun& brought forward
23,929
235,000
1,824,197 2,083,126
Total fund8 carried forward
23.230
085,000
1,461,224 2,169.454
23