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Author: Dave Hardy

  • Why a full life matters

    Why a full life matters

    Why a Full Life Matters

    Most of us can look back on moments that have shaped who we are. Friendships we’ve made, hobbies we’ve discovered, places where we’ve felt welcomed, and opportunities that have helped us grow in confidence.

    Those experiences bring meaning to everyday life. They help us feel connected, included and excited about what tomorrow might bring.

    This is true for everyone.

    While the right support is essential, a full life is about more than meeting basic needs. As our Fund a Full Life campaign says, a full life isn’t a moment – it’s everything that fills a week. 

    At Options, we believe everyone should be able to lead the life they choose, full of the things they love. Through activities, community opportunities and inclusive spaces like The POD, we support people to build friendships, discover new interests, develop confidence and take an active role in their communities. 

    Whether it’s a creative session, a social event, a day trip, volunteering, learning a new skill or simply spending time with friends, these experiences help people feel connected and included. Often, what starts as a small opportunity becomes something much bigger – greater independence, increased confidence or a stronger sense of belonging.

    Because inclusion is about more than being seen. It’s about having access to the experiences, activities and opportunities that help people live a full and meaningful life.  

    That’s why Fund a Full Life exists. While statutory funding provides essential support, it doesn’t always cover the experiences that make life richer. Through the Options Inclusion Fund, we can help fund the activities, opportunities and moments that make a life feel like a life.  

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week. Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • What Does “Supported” Really Mean?

    What Does “Supported” Really Mean?

    Ask someone what they picture when they hear the word “supported” and the answer is often surprisingly narrow.

    Many people imagine practical help with day-to-day life. They think about appointments, routines, paperwork and responsibilities. While these things can be important, they only tell part of the story.

    For most of us, independence does not mean doing everything alone. We rely on friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, technology and our communities every day. Independence is rarely about having no support at all. More often, it is about having the right support to make our own choices and live the lives we want to live.

    The same is true for people supported by Options.

    Support plays an important role in helping people live safely, confidently and independently. But its purpose is not simply to help someone get through the week. At its best, support creates opportunities. It helps people pursue interests, build relationships, contribute to their communities and take part in the things that matter to them.

    At Options, we see examples of this every day. Support might help someone build the confidence to travel somewhere independently for the first time. It might enable somebody to join a local group, reconnect with a hobby or spend more time with friends and family. It might help someone volunteer, learn a new skill or become more involved in community life.

    The activities themselves may seem ordinary. Yet it is often through these ordinary opportunities that confidence grows. They are where friendships begin, interests develop and people discover new possibilities for themselves.

    When people think about support, they often focus on what is provided. Just as important is what becomes possible because of it.

    The conversation changes from asking, “What support does this person need?” to asking, “What kind of life does this person want to live?”

    That shift matters because people are not defined by the support they receive. They are defined by their interests, ambitions, relationships, choices and experiences, just like anyone else.

    A full life is about more than having the essentials in place. It is built through opportunities to connect with others, contribute to communities, explore interests and create memories that stay with us long after the moment has passed.

    That is one of the reasons Fund a Full Life exists.

    The campaign recognises that a fulfilling life is shaped by more than the things we need. It is also shaped by the things we look forward to, the experiences we share and the opportunities that help us feel connected, valued and part of something bigger than ourselves.

    Because being supported does not mean standing still. It means having the opportunity to move forward with confidence. And ultimately, support is not just about helping people live safely.

    It is about helping people live fully.

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • More Than Making Art

    More Than Making Art

    Every Wednesday afternoon at The POD, the tables slowly fill with paints, brushes, colouring pencils and blank sheets of paper. Relaxing music begins to play in the background as people arrive, greet one another and settle into their seats. It isn’t long before conversations begin to flow.

    For Yurena, this has become one of the highlights of her week. While the artwork people create is always different, the reason she leads the sessions has remained the same from the very beginning.

    “I wanted to use my creativity to help other people.”

    That simple idea has grown into something that many people now look forward to every week. Yurena had already shown her enthusiasm for sharing her skills by leading six weeks of Spanish lessons at The POD. Seeing how much people enjoyed learning together inspired the next step: creating a relaxed, welcoming space where people could explore their creativity, spend time together and simply enjoy the afternoon.

    Every session is different. One week people might paint rocks, another they might colour, draw or experiment with something completely new. There are no expectations and no right or wrong way to create. The aim is simply to encourage people to use their imagination, express themselves and enjoy the experience.

    The atmosphere is just as important as the activities themselves. Gentle music plays throughout the session, helping to create a calm environment where people feel comfortable joining in at their own pace.

    For many people, these moments are what make life feel full.

    Support funding helps people stay safe, healthy and well. But it doesn’t always pay for the things most of us take for granted – spending time with friends, discovering a new hobby, sharing your talents or simply belonging to a community.

    That’s why Options created The POD: an inclusive community space where people can connect, learn, create and enjoy life together beyond the essentials of funded support. It’s one of the many ways we’re making a better world for people with disabilities.

    Among those attending is Helen, who has always enjoyed being creative. At home she spends time making jewellery, so coming to the sessions gives her another opportunity to do something she loves while catching up with friends from The POD.

    “I love arts and crafts,” she says. “I enjoy making jewellery and creating things at home. I like seeing other people from The POD.”

    For Clara, Inclusion Coordinator at Options, Yurena’s journey has been inspiring to watch.

    “Yurena has lots of creative ideas,” she explains. “She is passionate about helping others and she’s very good at teaching people and sharing her skills.”

    Those qualities quickly became clear as the sessions developed.

    “The turnout has been really good,” Clara says. “People find the sessions therapeutic. Yurena creates a relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves.”

    In fact, attendees have enjoyed the sessions so much that they’ve even asked if they could stay for an extra hour.

    For Yurena, however, the biggest reward isn’t seeing a finished painting or colourful piece of artwork.

    It’s watching people laugh together. Seeing new friendships develop. Noticing confidence grow from one week to the next.

    Her proudest moments come from seeing other people enjoying themselves.

    Stories like Yurena’s remind us that a full life isn’t only about taking part in activities. Sometimes it’s about discovering something you’re passionate about and using it to make a difference for others.

    A paintbrush, a conversation and a shared laugh around a table may seem like small moments, but together they help build confidence, connection and community. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a week feel complete.

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • Running Towards a Better World.

    Running Towards a Better World.

    Peter’s Journey of Strength and Hope.

    In 2025, Peter set himself a goal: to take part in the Liverpool Half Marathon. Running had become more than exercise for him – it was something that helped him reconnect with the world and build confidence in himself.

    After the COVID-19 lockdown, Peter experienced anxiety and depression. Over time, with encouragement and the right support, he found something that brought structure and positivity back into his routine: running.

    With the support of Liam, a member of the Options team, Peter began training regularly. Each week they built distance and confidence together.


    “Every Tuesday, me and Liam do our 10k run in the morning to practise distance running,” Peter explained. “Before the Liverpool Half Marathon we went into the city centre to practise the route. We did it about five times.”

    Peter had already completed the Mersey Tunnel 10k, but the half marathon was his biggest challenge yet. Through steady training and encouragement, running became something he looked forward to.

    On race day, the atmosphere helped carry him through the final miles. Crowds cheering along the route pushed Peter and Liam forward as they crossed the finish line together – finishing in 2 hours and 8 seconds and beating Peter’s previous best by three minutes.

    “I want to say thank you to Liam for all his support, I really appreciate it,” Peter said.

    Running is now firmly part of Peter’s life. He is already planning his next goals – another 10k in New Brighton and hopefully another half marathon in Chester.

    Peter’s story shows how the right support can help people pursue their interests, build confidence and keep moving towards the things that matter to them.

  • What Makes A Full Life?

    What Makes A Full Life?

    It’s an interesting question because there isn’t a single answer.

    What feels meaningful to one person might mean very little to someone else. Some people find fulfilment in busy schedules and new experiences, while others find it in familiar routines, strong relationships and a sense of belonging. That’s what makes the idea of a full life so personal.

    Ask ten people what a full life looks like and you’ll probably hear ten different answers. That’s not a problem to solve. It’s something to celebrate.

    We often talk about life in practical terms. Work, housing, health, finances and responsibilities all matter. They provide the foundations that help people live well. Yet when people reflect on what makes life feel meaningful, they rarely stop there.

    More often, they talk about friendships, hobbies, shared experiences, favourite places and the people they enjoy spending time with. They talk about feeling connected, valued and part of something bigger than themselves. In many ways, a full life is built through the things we choose to do, the people we choose to spend time with and the opportunities we have to pursue what matters to us.

    At Options, we see this every day. For one person, a full life might mean attending a local art group and discovering a new creative passion. For another, it could be travelling independently, volunteering in the community, meeting friends regularly or pursuing a hobby that brings confidence and enjoyment. Someone else might find fulfilment through sport, music, learning or simply spending more time in the places that matter to them.

    The activities themselves may be different, but the importance behind them is often the same. They create opportunities to connect with others, contribute to communities, develop confidence and build lives that reflect individual interests, ambitions and choices.

    Perhaps that is why the idea of a full life matters so much. Life is about more than simply getting through each day. It is about participating, belonging and having opportunities to pursue the things that matter to us. It is about having reasons to look forward to tomorrow and opportunities to create memories that stay with us long after the moment has passed.

    A full life will always mean something different to each of us and that’s exactly as it should be.

    Full lives are personal.

    Inclusion means having opportunities to pursue them.

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • A full life, Helen’s way

    A full life, Helen’s way

    What makes a full life?

    For Helen, a person we support at Options, a full life isn’t about one big achievement. It’s about doing things she loves, connecting with others and making a difference in a way that feels right for her.

    That’s exactly what Fund a Full Life is all about.

    When Helen decided she wanted to raise money for Options, she knew she didn’t want to ask people for donations. Instead, she found a way to use her own talents. Having enjoyed making handmade jewellery for some time, she began selling her creations at fundraising events.

    It gave people the chance to support Options while taking home something she had made herself. More importantly, it gave Helen an opportunity to share her creativity, meet new people and contribute in a way that felt natural and meaningful.

    As her confidence grew, Helen embraced new opportunities, including taking part in the Options Gamerthon – a gaming event for people we support. Events like these have helped her connect with others who share her interests, build friendships and become more involved in her community.

    These experiences reflect the purpose of Fund a Full Life. While statutory funding provides essential day-to-day support, it often doesn’t cover the activities, experiences and opportunities that help people build friendships, discover new interests and feel connected to their communities. Fund a Full Life helps bridge that gap, creating opportunities that bring meaning, confidence and joy to people’s lives.

    For Helen, that has meant turning a hobby into a way of giving back. For someone else, it could be learning a new skill, joining a group, volunteering or pursuing a lifelong passion.

    Because a full life looks different for everyone.

    It grows from a person’s interests, ambitions and opportunities. Fund a Full Life helps make those opportunities possible, supporting people to live fuller, richer and more connected lives.

    For Helen, it started with a love of making jewellery.

    Today, it’s helping her make a difference in her own way.

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • What makes a week feel like a good week?

    What makes a week feel like a good week?

    What makes a week feel like a good week?

    For most of us, it’s not the big milestones that come to mind. It’s the smaller moments that happen in between: meeting friends, enjoying a favourite hobby, trying something new, getting out into the community or simply having something to look forward to.

    These are the experiences that bring enjoyment, connection and purpose to our lives. They’re the moments that help us feel included, valued and part of the world around us.

    At Options, we see every day how much these opportunities matter. Through activities, community connection and welcoming spaces like The POD, people build friendships, gain confidence, develop new interests and discover what a full life means to them.

    Because a full life is rarely built from one extraordinary moment. It’s built from the ordinary moments that fill our weeks and become lasting memories.

    That’s why Fund a Full Life exists.

    We believe everyone should have the opportunity to lead the life they choose, full of the things they love. While statutory funding provides essential support, it doesn’t always cover the activities, experiences and opportunities that make life richer, more enjoyable and more inclusive. The Options Inclusion Fund helps bridge that gap, funding the moments that make a life feel like a life. 

    Because a full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week. Some of it gets funded. The rest is up to all of us.

    Help Fund a Full Life

    A full life isn’t a moment. It’s everything that fills a week.

    Through Fund a Full Life, you can help create the experiences, activities and opportunities that statutory funding doesn’t cover, but that everyone deserves. Support the campaign today and help fund a full life.

    Find out more about Fund a Full Life and donate today

  • Do You See Me? What Happens Next?

    Do You See Me? What Happens Next?

    Throughout Learning Disability Week, we’ve been sharing stories from people supported by Options as part of this year’s theme, Do You See Me?

    We’ve shared stories about work, technology, leadership, travel, advocacy, independence and community life. Every story has been different, but together they have highlighted something important.

    For many people with learning disabilities, being recognised as a whole person rather than a diagnosis, a label or a set of assumptions cannot be taken for granted. Being seen means being recognised for your interests, ambitions, talents, relationships and the things that make you who you are.

    This year’s theme asks an important question, but as we’ve listened to people’s experiences throughout the week, we’ve found ourselves thinking about another one too.

    What happens next?

    This week we’ve shared stories about people travelling independently, taking on leadership roles, using technology, moving into their own homes and pursuing the things that matter to them.

    Each story has been different, but they all have something in common. They remind us that inclusion isn’t just about being recognised for who you are. It’s also about having opportunities to take part.

    Across our communities, we see examples of this every day. Someone planning a trip. Someone moving into their own home. Someone teaching a skill to others. Someone choosing their favourite music. Someone taking on a new challenge at work. Someone joining a group, making new connections or pursuing a hobby they enjoy.

    Many of the moments we’ve shared this week might seem quite ordinary. Choosing where to go. Planning a trip. Learning a new skill. Spending time with friends. Taking on a new responsibility.

    In reality, those ordinary moments are often where confidence, independence and belonging grow.

    When we talk about inclusion, it is easy to focus on systems, policies and support. Those things matter, and they play a significant role in creating opportunities and removing barriers.

    But many of the things that make life meaningful happen in everyday moments. The places we go. The people we spend time with. The interests we pursue. The choices we make.

    Learning Disability Week asks us to consider whether we truly see people for who they are.

    The stories we’ve shared suggest there may be another question worth asking too.

    Once people are seen, what becomes possible?

    Fund a Full Life

    A full life is made up of the moments we look forward to.

    It’s ice cream at Crosby Beach. Gaming with your mates. A wander around the Albert Dock. A Saturday which doesn’t feel like a Tuesday.

    Our Inclusion Fund helps make more of those moments possible for people supported by Options.

    Find out more
  • Do You See Sue?

    Do You See Sue?

    Understanding benefits systems can feel complicated and overwhelming. Forms, assessments, decisions, and appeals can be difficult to navigate, especially when the outcome matters so much.

    For Sue, going through a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeal became an important opportunity to speak up for herself and make sure her voice was heard.

    Like many people, Sue found the process challenging at times. There were forms to complete, decisions to understand, and uncertainty about what would happen next. But throughout the appeal, Sue remained determined to continue asking questions and explaining her situation.

    For Sue, this was never just about finances. It was about fairness, independence, and making sure her needs were properly understood and recognised.

    Advocacy is not always about big public moments. Sometimes it is about continuing through a difficult process, speaking up when something does not feel right, and having the confidence to challenge decisions that affect your life.

    The outcome of the appeal brought increased support, but it also gave Sue something equally important: greater confidence in herself and reassurance that her voice mattered.

    At Options, supporting people to understand their rights, make informed choices, and advocate for themselves is an important part of what we do. Through opportunities, support, and encouragement, people are helped to build the confidence to take an active role in decisions that affect their lives.

    This is about determination, self-belief, and having the confidence to be heard.

    Because a full life is not only about receiving the right support. It is also about understanding your rights, having your voice recognised, and feeling confident enough to speak up when something matters to you.

    A question for all of us

    This Learning Disability Week, we’re asking people to look beyond assumptions.

    Do you see someone going through an appeal process?

    Or do you also see someone speaking up for herself, building confidence, and making sure her voice is heard?

    Do you see Sue?

    What does a full life look like?

    A full life looks different for everyone.

    For some people it’s having a place to call home.

    For others it’s travelling independently, pursuing a passion, finding paid work, building confidence, or helping others.

    Throughout Learning Disability Week, we’re celebrating the people, experiences and opportunities that help make every person’s life uniquely their own.

  • Do you see Jimmy?

    Do you see Jimmy?

    For many people, travelling independently is something they hardly think about.

    Getting on a train, walking through busy streets, finding your way around a city, or deciding where to go and what to do are all everyday parts of life.

    But for Jimmy, spending time independently in a busy city represents confidence, trust in his own abilities, and growing independence.

    Being able to travel, explore, and enjoy time independently is something that has developed over time through familiarity, encouragement, and personal determination.

    Like many people, Jimmy enjoys the freedom that comes with making choices for himself, exploring different places, and spending time doing things he enjoys.

    Too often, people with disabilities are underestimated when it comes to independence and decision making. But independence does not always have to look dramatic or extraordinary. Sometimes it is navigating public transport confidently, knowing where you want to go, or simply enjoying your own company while being part of the world around you.

    For Jimmy, being out in the city brings opportunities to experience everyday life on his own terms. Busy streets, cafés, shops, familiar routes, and new experiences are all part of building confidence and independence over time.

    At Options, creating opportunities like this is a big part of what we do. Through opportunities, community and inclusion activities, and welcoming community spaces like The POD, people are supported to explore their interests and take the lead in ways that matter to them. We also work alongside people through campaigning and fundraising, giving others the chance to get involved, raise awareness, and donate to help create more opportunities like this.

    This is about trust, confidence, and having the opportunity to experience ordinary life in your own way.

    Because inclusion is not only about support. It is also about recognising people’s independence, choices, and their right to experience the world around them with confidence.

    A question for all of us

    This Learning Disability Week, we’re asking people to look beyond assumptions about what independence can look like.

    Do you only see someone being supported?

    Or do you also see someone navigating one of the busiest cities in the country, making choices, exploring the world, and growing in confidence every day?

    Do you see Jimmy?

    What does a full life look like?

    A full life looks different for everyone.

    For some people it’s having a place to call home.

    For others it’s travelling independently, pursuing a passion, finding paid work, building confidence, or helping others.

    Throughout Learning Disability Week, we’re celebrating the people, experiences and opportunities that help make every person’s life uniquely their own.