OPTIONS 4 CHANGE 2024 - 2025 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT WWW.OPTIONS4CHANGE.ORG.UK ## **1. Executive Summary** During the 2024–2025 reporting period, Options 4 Change (O4C) continued to strengthen its delivery of targeted support to children, young people, and families experiencing disadvantage. This work was underpinned by sustained funding from the Walcot Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities fund, which helped strengthen partnerships across the local community. Our focus remained on preventing school exclusions, reducing hardship, and improving outcomes for families through holistic casework, advocacy, and preventative interventions. A key development this year was our relocation to Loughborough Park Community Centre, which significantly enhanced our ability to engage with the Brixton community. This move enabled us to expand our service-user base, increase delivery of in-house activities, and deepen collaboration with local partners, including Dwaynamics/Dwayne Simpson Foundation CIC. As a result, O4C further embedded its presence within the community and strengthened local referral pathways. Our Education Sustainment Programme (ESP) remained central to our work, supporting families whose children were at risk of, or had experienced, exclusion. Through close partnership working with schools, legal professionals, and statutory services, we ensured families had access to appropriate advocacy and support. We maintained strong relationships with local primary schools, including Stockwell, Loughborough, St Mark’s and St Jude’s, which continued to play a vital role in identifying and referring families in need of support. O4C continued to play an active role within the local voluntary and community sector, strengthening partnerships with organisations including Number One Performing Arts (NOPA), Dwaynamics, Code7, Angell Delight, Circle of Life Ignite, and Ecosystem Coldharbour. Engagement in peer networks, including those facilitated by the Walcot Foundation, further enhanced collaboration and shared learning across the sector. We also expanded our support for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), providing guidance on housing, access to statutory services, and engagement with social care. Through this work, we developed a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by these families and the importance of trusted, community-based referral routes in reaching those who may otherwise remain hidden. O4C remains committed to delivering responsive, community-led support, with a continued focus on safeguarding, equity, and long-term impact. Our progress this year reflects both the resilience of the families we support and the strength of the partnerships that underpin our work. Options 4 Change **Trustee Reports 2024** – **2025** | Page **2** of **6** ## **2. Family Welfare and Education Sustainment Projects** Throughout 2024–2025, Options 4 Change (O4C) continued to deliver targeted support through our Family Welfare and Education Sustainment projects. These services focused on preventing school exclusions, promoting educational achievement, and reducing hardship for families facing disadvantage. Following our move from Streatham to Loughborough Park Community Centre, we expanded our reach and strengthened our presence within the Brixton community. This transition increased our service-user base, enhanced our ability to deliver in-house events, and enabled closer collaboration with local partners, including Dwaynamics/Dwayne Simpson Foundation CIC. With sustained funding from the Walcot Foundation, we maintained our Education Sustainment Programme (ESP). This programme provided holistic casework and advocacy for families whose children were at risk of, or had experienced, exclusion. We worked alongside legal professionals, independent advocates, and local education and children’s services to ensure families had access to fair representation and appropriate support. We continued to work in partnership with several local primary schools, including Stockwell Primary School, Loughborough Primary School, St Mark’s Primary School, and St Jude’s Primary School, among others. As part of our preventative work, we delivered the Mango Tree Project, which raised awareness of gang recruitment and grooming. The project included interactive sessions for both pupils and parents. Parents were supported to recognise warning signs, understand the risks associated with social media, and learn how to intervene appropriately. They were also provided with our ‘Parent Charter’. Pupils received age-appropriate guidance on how to avoid being targeted and how to seek support from trusted adults. In total, we engaged over 240 pupils and 50 parents, with participants identified and referred through our partner schools. We strengthened our partnerships across the community, working with organisations such as Number One Performing Arts (NOPA), Dwaynamics, Code7, Angell Delight, Ecosystem Coldharbour and National Black Boys Can. We also expanded our networks through peer support groups, including those facilitated by the Walcot Foundation. Our summer programme provided vital support to disadvantaged families during the school holidays, helping to alleviate holiday hunger and financial hardship. Throughout August, we delivered a range of free and enriching activities, including cinema trips, a drumming workshop, and museum visits. The programme culminated in a three-day residential trip to Cardiff, Wales, attended by 27 participants at no cost to families. We provided targeted support to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), particularly in relation to housing, access to statutory services, and engagement with social services, supported by funding from the Walcot Foundation. Families with NRPF were often difficult to reach, as many were understandably cautious about engaging with services due to concerns around their immigration status or previous negative experiences. This often meant families remained hidden until their circumstances became critical. Through this work, we recognised the importance of building trusted referral pathways through schools and community organisations that already had established relationships with families. Options 4 Change **Trustee Reports 2024** – **2025** | Page **3** of **6** Alongside our service delivery, we continued to invest in strengthening our online presence, including upgrades to our website and increased engagement through platforms such as LinkedIn. ## **3. Delivery Partners** Options 4 Change plays an active role within the Lambeth community, with strong, established partnerships across both statutory and voluntary sectors. These relationships enable us to provide effective, joined-up support to children, young people, and families, contributing to improved outcomes across the community. We have continued to strengthen and build on our relationships with key local partners, including: - Number One Performing Arts (NOPA) - Dwaynamics/Dwayne Simpson Foundation CIC - Code7 - Angell Delight - Your Story - National Black Boys Can - Excell 3 - Ecosystem Coldharbour - Walcot Foundation Peer Support Group - Communities Empowerment Network - Stockwell Primary, Loughborough Primary, St. Mark’s Primary, St. Jude’s Primary, St. John’s Angell Town Primary and Christchurch Primary schools - Lambeth Social Services - Lambeth Youth Offending Team - Lambeth Police - Osbornes Law (Solicitor) - McMillan Rose (Solicitor) - Universities, including London South Bank, Greenwich, Kent Medway and Middlesex Options 4 Change **Trustee Reports 2024** – **2025** | Page **4** of **6** ## **4. Governance** Options 4 Change continues to maintain strong governance, building on the solid foundation established since its inception. As a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 27 June 2005 and registered as a charity on 4 June 2015, we operate in line with our Memorandum and Articles of Association, which clearly set out our charitable objectives, powers, and governance framework. This ensures transparency, accountability, and compliance across all areas of our work. Our Board of Trustees is comprised of the following individuals: - Rahman Mustapha – **Chair** - Aida Huballah – **Trustee** - Donna Sinclair – **Company Secretary** - Beverley Baxter – **Trustee** The Board brings a breadth of professional expertise across community development, engagement, and organisational leadership. Importantly, Trustees also bring lived experience of the challenges faced by the communities we serve, which strengthens their insight, decision-making, and commitment to the charity’s mission. Their continued dedication over many years has been instrumental in providing effective oversight and shaping the strategic direction of the organisation. The Board meets on a quarterly basis and is consulted on key matters as they arise. The Chief Executive Officer provides regular updates on operational activity and financial performance, enabling Trustees to make informed decisions on areas such as budgeting, strategic planning, and policy development. Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and are not remunerated. The charity’s reserves are kept under regular review to ensure they remain appropriate and aligned with current financial commitments and organisational priorities. ## **5. Financial Review** During the reporting period ending 30 June 2025, Options 4 Change was primarily funded through grants from charitable foundations. Key support was received from the Walcot Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities fund, Ecosystem Coldharbour, and Sainsbury’s & Comic Relief, which together enabled us to continue delivering essential services to children, young people, and families in need. Grant funding remained our main source of income throughout the year. In addition, we introduced the ability to receive online donations via our website. While individual donations currently account for a small proportion of overall income, this development establishes an important foundation for future growth in community giving and broader fundraising activity. Options 4 Change **Trustee Reports 2024** – **2025** | Page **5** of **6** ## **6. Accountant** Options 4 Change’s accounts are independently verified and filed by qualified accountants in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission and Companies House. This ensures the charity adheres to best practice in financial management and auditing procedures. The accounts for this reporting period were prepared by: **Thames Accountancy Ltd** 438 Streatham High Road, London, SW16 3PX **Company Number:** 09330671 ## **7. Financial Statement** The annual accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 26 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by: Rahman Mustapha – **Chair** Aida Huballah – **Trustee** ## **8. Declaration** This report was approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Donna Sinclair – **Company Secretary** Options 4 Change **Trustee Reports 2024** – **2025** | Page **6** of **6** Charity Registration Numb@r'. 1162000 Company Regisiration Number.. 05492205 OPTIONS 4 CHANGE A COMPANY LIMITEO BY GUAFiANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOA THE YEAR ENDED 30IUNE 2025 OPTIONS 4 CHANGE CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 Legal and Adminislralive Information Trustees, Report Receipts and Payments Slalement of Assets and Liabilities Notes lo the Financial Slalemenls OPTIONS 4 CHANGE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 Trustee Aida Hubullah. R8hm8n Mustapha Charlty Number 1162000 Company Number 05492205 R•glst•r•d Offic• P* Communty Centre. BriX￿ SW9 8UA Page1017 OPTIONS 4 CHANGE TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements lor the year ended 30 lune 2025. 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