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.
Options is proud to announce that it has achieved the Fair Employment Charter Accredited Level, awarded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The accreditation recognises employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to fair employment practices and creating workplaces where people can thrive. Rather than focusing solely on policies, it looks at the real experiences of employees and how organisations support them through healthy, fair, inclusive and just working environments.
To achieve the Accredited Level, organisations must demonstrate their commitment to four key principles:
Healthy – creating safe, supportive environments that prioritise physical and mental wellbeing.
Fair – providing fair pay, secure work and balanced working arrangements.
Inclusive – building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and able to develop.
Just – ensuring people have a voice, opportunities to progress and equal access to careers.
For Options, this recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects both our values and our belief that support work is skilled, professional and incredibly important. Every day, our colleagues use their knowledge, compassion and expertise to support people with learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injuries to live happy, fulfilling and independent lives.
We know that delivering high-quality, person-centred support requires talented and dedicated people. That’s why being a good employer is so important to us. The Fair Employment Charter recognises not only the quality of our employment practices, but also our commitment to supporting, valuing and investing in the people who make such a difference every day.
The way we support people is closely connected to the way we support our colleagues. Our values are built on respect, inclusion, opportunity and putting people at the heart of decision-making. We believe that when colleagues feel recognised, listened to and supported, they are better equipped to provide the high-quality support that transforms lives.
Achieving the Fair Employment Charter Accredited Level demonstrates that our commitment to fairness, wellbeing and inclusion is embedded throughout the organisation. From investing in learning and development opportunities, to promoting wellbeing and encouraging colleagues to share their views and experiences, we strive to create a workplace culture where people can grow, develop and succeed.
Kevin Peacock, Chief Executive of Options, said:
“We are delighted to receive the Fair Employment Charter Accredited Level. This recognition reflects the culture we have worked hard to build and, most importantly, recognises the amazing colleagues who make Options what it is.
Support work is skilled work. Every day, our teams use their expertise, dedication and compassion to help people achieve their goals and live the lives they choose. We want our colleagues to feel valued, respected and supported, and one of the most important ways we can demonstrate that is through our commitment to fair employment practices.
We are incredibly proud of this achievement, but we also know there is more to do. As an organisation, we want to see a social care sector that offers better pay, terms and conditions for the talented people who work within it. We will continue to champion and support positive change across the sector, ensuring social care is recognised as the skilled and vital profession it is.”
As Options continues to grow and develop, this accreditation provides further reassurance that our people-first approach is making a positive impact. It recognises our commitment not only to being a responsible employer, but also to ensuring that the talented and dedicated people who support others across our organisation have the opportunities, support and encouragement they need to thrive.
We would like to thank all our colleagues for their ongoing dedication, professionalism and commitment. Their skill, passion and expertise make a difference every day, helping the people we support to live the lives they choose and deserve.
Leadership is often associated with job titles, public speaking, or being the loudest person in the room.
But leadership can look very different.
When Helen joined Options after spending much of her life living in group homes, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. For the first time, she had greater opportunities to make decisions, pursue her interests, and take control of her own life.
Helen embraced those opportunities. One of her first experiences of taking the lead came through her passion for jewellery making. Given the opportunity to run her own stall at an Options Tea Party, Helen not only sold her creations but also helped design her own branding, something that gave her a real sense of ownership and achievement.
Since then, she has continued to find new ways to share her skills and support others. Helen has used her jewellery making to raise money for the Options allotment and has become increasingly involved in planning activities and bringing people together.
Earlier this year, Helen took the lead in organising our Gamerthon event, helping to choose the games, plan activities, and run a Mario Kart tournament. The event was a huge success and has inspired plans for future Gamerthons at The POD.
At Options, opportunities like these help people explore their interests, build confidence, and discover strengths they may never have had the chance to share before. For Helen, those opportunities have helped her become a leader in her own way.
This is about confidence, ownership, and having the opportunity to turn ideas into reality.
Because a full life is not only about independence. It is also about having the chance to contribute, inspire others, and be recognised for the talents you bring to your community.
A question for all of us
This Learning Disability Week, we’re asking people to look beyond assumptions.
Do you see someone taking part in activities?
Or do you also see someone organising events, sharing her talents, bringing people together, and growing into a leader in her own right?
Evelyn’s story explores the importance of reasonable adjustments, accessible communication, and trusted support during a medical procedure as…
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.
As the Chief Executive of Options for Supported Living, I spend a significant portion of my life navigating the intersection of human rights and local authority processes. It’s a space where the most profound aspirations for a “full life” often collide head-on with the hard machinery of government finance and procurement.
There is one word that consistently grates on my soul, popping up in tender documents and strategy papers like a stubborn weed: “Lot.”
“Lot 1: Supported Living for Learning Disabilities.” “Lot 2: Complex Needs.” “Lot 3: Bootle [or add geography of choice]”
To a procurement person, a “lot” is a convenient way to divide a contract. But to those of us who advocate for the dignity of the people we support, the word is a dehumanising put-down that needs to stay in the auction house and out of social care.
The Language of devaluation
Wolf Wolfensberger taught us that the language we use to describe people isn’t just “semantics.” It shapes how society perceives them and, crucially, how we treat them.
When we categorise, support provided to other people as “lots,” we are subconsciously – or perhaps explicitly – treating people as commodities. The last “lot” I bid for was a collection of pre-owned Lego bricks where the boxes have been lost. By using this word about people, commissioning processes demean those who draw on support and reduce the unique circumstances of individuals to a simplified system of price per unit.
This language also forces organisations to think differently. Frankly, I do not want to ‘bid’ for a ‘lot’ involving people that contribute to our community or may do in the future. I am simply a peer, and Options is here to serve and support others. Yet here I am, in a position of power, preparing another tender and deciding which ‘lots’ to ‘bid’ for, rather than getting to know people and trying to establish whether we can aid someone to live a happy and fulfilling life.
The lack of care in Social Care language.
Last year we had a visit from Tricia Nicholl, who spoke to all of Options’ organisational leaders. She spoke brilliantly about the power of “Gloriously Ordinary Language.” Tricia reminds us that when we hide behind jargon, we lose the human story.
Our own Christine Bithell talks in this podcast about words that make us pause and think. Top of my list might be ‘lot’
Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, “I hope my life is well-managed within Lot 3 of my current framework agreement.” When commissioners use the word “lot,” they are choosing the language of business over the language of the living room. It creates a professional distance that makes it easier to cut costs and harder to see the person. Personally, I want a home, a friend, and a sense of purpose. I want to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe that I share these fundamentals with every other human, whether they access support or not.
The language of citizenship not procurement
Last year, John O’Brien passed away. John was one of the pioneers of what supported living should be and has been a test for everything we do at Options. If you look at John’s framework of “Five Accomplishments” (Presence, Choice, Competence, Respect, and Participation) not one of them is compatible with being part of a “lot.”
You cannot foster Respect while using language that treats people like inventory.
You cannot encourage Choice when the very structure of the contract groups people into rigid, impersonal blocks.
You cannot develop Presence when support staff are at the whim of a process in which they or the people they support have very little agency.
David Hingsburger says that the most powerful thing we [as the wider social services system] can do for disabled people (I would say all people) is to protect their humanity. Using the word “lot” is a subtle but persistent chipping away at that humanity. It signals that the system cares more about the ease of the tender process than the individual identity of the citizen.
From Process to People, from Provider to Partner
Those who have recently heard me speak publicly will know there needs to be a wholesale change in ‘commissioning’. I have been questioning whether commissioning itself is the problem, as it leads us to this commercial, contractual way of thinking.
I understand the pressures of local government. I know the legalities of the Public Contract Regulations. But nowhere in the law does it say we must sacrifice our empathy on the altar of procurement speak.
But let’s assume though we cannot be radical enough to rip up the rule book. How do we make the rule book work better?
My understanding of the new(ish) Procurement Act [2023] is that it was designed to give commissioners more flexibility to move away from rigid, transactional models. We can pursue outcomes that are mutually beneficial for the local authority, the provider, and, most importantly, the person. Herein lies both a better life and cost saving. The two are not exclusive of each other.
For this to happen, the relationship between person, provider and local authority needs to change. Co-production needs to be more than just lip-service; and providers treated as strategic partners rather than procured delivery agencies, especially in new neighbourhood and place-based thinking.
This systemic shift won’t happen if we are still using the language of the auction house. We cannot achieve “strategic partnership” if we are still bidding for “Lot 4.” Real change starts with reframing people within the commissioning process.
At Options, we refuse to see the people we support as anything less than equal citizens. It’s time the language of commissioning caught up with that reality. Let’s leave the “lots” to the car auctions and start talking about people again.
Kev Peacock – Options CEO
What words do you think we should banish from the social care dictionary?
Options was pleased to welcome Alison McGovern MP, Member of Parliament for Birkenhead and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, to Hamilton Street recently where she visited The POD, Options’ new community hub.
The POD is a welcoming, accessible space created to bring people together, supporting connection, inclusion and opportunity for the people Options supports and works alongside, as well as the wider community. Located in the heart of Birkenhead, the hub plays an important role in building strong, connected neighbourhoods alongside local housing developments.
During the visit, Alison McGovern MP learned more about how The POD is being used to host inclusive activities, meetings and support, helping people build confidence, relationships and skills in an environment designed around belonging.
Christine Bithell, Lead for The POD at Options, said: “The POD represents much more than a physical space. It’s a place where people can connect with one another, try new things, and be part of their community. It’s about creating opportunities that are welcoming, accessible and shaped around what matters to the people, ensuring there are opportunities for people we support to lead them for themselves.”
Reflecting on the wider purpose of the hub, Christine added: “At its heart, The POD is about possibility – supporting people to build confidence, form relationships and take part in everyday community life. We’re proud of what’s already happening here and excited about how the space will continue to grow with the community around it.”
The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on Options’ wider vision for inclusion and social change. “We were really grateful to Alison for listening so well,” Christine said. “She shared her passion and pride in Birkenhead as a place, and we agreed that Birkenhead’s future needs to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. We also spent time reflecting together on how the health and social care system can change to realise our shared vision of a better world for people with disabilities – and that’s a conversation we’d very much like to keep going.”
The visit highlighted how shared community spaces like The POD can support wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity, helping people not just to live in a place, but to feel part of it.
Liverpool City Council has launched “Liverpool’s Commitment to Neurodiversity: A Strategy for an Inclusive City 2025–2035.” Options is proud to have been part of the steering group shaping this work. We have supported members of the Options community to share their views, and we are pleased to see Liverpool publicly engaging with what neurodiversity means, and how we can build a truly accessible and inclusive city for the future.
Being involved in the development of the strategy has been a really positive experience for us. The participative and collaborative approach has stood out, and the project team has consistently taken time to listen well. Now, as the focus shifts from planning to implementation, we want to offer some reflections on the key priorities raised.
Priority 1: Embracing Neurodiversity
Options continues to build its own understanding of diversity, amplifying the voices of neurodivergent people within our community and promoting wider public awareness. As a city, we must be careful not to default in creating separate or dedicated services for neurodivergent people. Instead, the focus should be on everyday inclusion, building a culture where everyone is recognised as unique, valued, and able to participate fully. This shift will take time and radical change, but it reflects the founding values of Options. We welcome the renewed attention this strategy brings.
Priority 2: Accessible Healthcare
Options has long worked with GPs, health visitors, and hospitals to encourage good listening and reasonable adjustments. Many people supported by Options have campaigned for better healthcare, and their voices are reflected in this strategy. Everyone has the right to access good healthcare, yet inequity for neurodivergent people and those with learning disabilities remains widespread, and overlooked. Liverpool has set a goal to tackle health inequalities by 2040. We would like to see neurodiversity considered more fully within this wider ambition.
Priority 4: The Right to a Fulfilling Life
At our core, we all seek the same things: love, acceptance, security, belonging, community, friendship, dignity, choice, and the occasional holiday, chocolate, or even a glass of wine. Options has always championed the right to an ordinary life, showing over many years that this is possible for anyone, though it looks different for everyone.
Liverpool’s strategy focuses on employment, transitions from childhood to adulthood, and housing, key areas for improvement. But a fulfilling life is more than these. It requires recognising individual uniqueness, value, aspiration, nurturing relationships, deepening understanding of diversity, and providing the right support where needed. As this strategy is delivered, we must continue to see each individual as a person and respond accordingly.
We are always looking to build partnerships and alliances with like‑minded people and organisations. If you have ideas about what Liverpool needs to become a truly inclusive city, we’d love to hear from you.
We also support organisations who want to improve accessibility and inclusion, and we offer a range of opportunities to get involved. Find out how our training and consultancy can help you create positive, lasting change.
If you’re interested, please get in touch, we’d be delighted to work with you.
This winter, our community came together to help create something lasting and we want to say a heartfelt thank you!
Through our 2025 Winter Appeal, supporters helped us take meaningful steps towards creating an accessible garden designed for and with the people we support. A space where everyone can take part, all year round.
For many people with disabilities, access to outdoor space hasn’t always been straightforward. Uneven ground, narrow paths or a lack of seating can turn everyday moments into barriers. Thanks to the generosity shown during the appeal, we are now able to move forward with plans for a garden that removes those barriers – with raised beds, level pathways, sheltered seating and space to grow.
This garden will be more than a green space. It will support confidence, connection and wellbeing. It will offer opportunities for shared activity, quiet moments, learning new skills and enjoying time outdoors – all in a way that reflects choice, independence and belonging.
Inclusive outdoor spaces matter. They help people stay active, build routines, connect with others and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outside. By supporting the Winter Appeal, our community helped turn an idea into action and laid the foundations for a space that will be part of everyday life for the people we support.
Thank You
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, fundraised, shared our message or supported the appeal in other ways. Every contribution played a part in moving this project forward. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us build our garden for all seasons.
What happens next
Now that the Winter Appeal has closed, our focus is on turning these plans into reality. Over the coming months, we’ll be progressing design work, preparing the space and working alongside the people we support to shape a garden that truly reflects how it will be used.
Stay connected
Your donations enable us to create and support vital projects like this. We’ll be sharing regular updates as our plans come together. Keep up to date by following us on social media or sign up to our monthly email.
“Do you see me married?” It’s a question many people might find ordinary or even expected. But when the same question is asked about a person with a learning disability, it challenges a society that too often excludes, overlooks or underestimates the hopes and dreams of people with learning disabilities.
This Learning Disability Week, we’re putting this question front and centre. This is because love, partnership, and the dream of marriage aren’t exclusive to a chosen few. They are part of what it means to be human. And people with learning disabilities, just like everyone else, deserve to have their desires seen, heard, and respected.
Take Andrew and Angela. Andrew first saw Angela while gardening for a neighbour. He told his neighbour, “She’s lovely—I fancy her.” Encouraged to ask her out, he ran after her and invited her for a coffee. She said no. But the next time he saw her, she said yes. That coffee turned into a friendship, and eventually, love. Angela began staying over more often, and after four years, Andrew asked her to be his girlfriend properly.
Years later, Andrew proposed at a local pub. He got down on one knee. Angela said, “Everyone’s looking at us,” but Andrew asked again—and she said yes. The whole pub cheered. The manager brought them a free meal and champagne. Today, they’re married. They go on holidays, help each other at home, and enjoy each other’s company. When asked what makes him happiest in his marriage, Andrew says, “Meeting Angela on that day.”
Too often, the ambitions of people with learning disabilities are boxed in by limiting assumptions: that they won’t live independently, hold down meaningful work, or enter loving relationships. But these assumptions say more about our society than about their capabilities. When someone asks, “Do you see me married?” they’re really asking, “Do you see me as a full person?” That question is a powerful provocation—and it should make us all stop and think.
Whether it’s going on a first date, having a partner, or planning a future with someone they love, people with learning disabilities have the same right to romantic desires as anyone else. Yet too often, barriers stand in their way. There are fewer opportunities for socialising, limited access to inclusive relationship education, and sometimes a lack of support from those around them. But with the right encouragement, understanding, and adjustments, relationships can and do flourish.
This year, we’re sharing stories like Andrew and Angela’s—stories that are joyful, complicated, funny, and touching, just like anyone else’s. These stories ask us to look at love through a different lens. Not a lens of pity or permission, but one of equality and celebration.
Seeing someone married means more than witnessing a wedding. It means recognising their capacity for love. It means ensuring they have the right to make decisions, to give and receive affection, to dream about a life with someone else—and to make that dream a reality. So, when someone asks, “Do you see me married?” our answer should be a resounding “Yes, I see you.” Not as someone who is different. Not as someone whose love is conditional. But as someone whose hopes matter just as much as anyone else’s.
When people think about politics, they don’t always picture someone with a learning disability at the heart of it. But Jonathan is helping to change that view simply by showing up, speaking out, and being himself.
Jonathan, who lives with Down’s syndrome, is an active member of the Labour Party and passionate about making sure everyone has the chance to be heard. He believes that political spaces should reflect the diversity of society—and that includes people with learning disabilities.
Recently, Jonathan was a proud participant in the My Vote My Voice campaign. With warmth and confidence, he helped others understand how important it is to vote, and reminded people that their voice matters, no matter who they are.
With support from his Support Worker Ian, Jonathan attended a political conference in Blackpool. It was a big moment, not just for Jonathan, but for what it represents. His presence there quietly challenged the idea that politics is only for a certain type of person. Jonathan brought his perspective, his passion, and his commitment to being part of the conversation.
This Learning Disability Week, we’re asking: Do You See Me? Jonathan’s story is a reminder that visibility matters. It’s about being seen not for what someone can’t do, but for all the things they can do.
When people like Jonathan are included in political spaces, it makes our democracy stronger. It shows what real inclusion looks like: not just being present, but being welcomed, respected, and heard.
Jonathan has a seat at the table. And he belongs there, just like everyone else.
At Options, we’re working towards a better world where people with learning disabilities are seen, included, and celebrated – everywhere. You can help us by donating today.
59% of people with a learning disability don’t take part in sport — not even once a month. Yet, 2 out of 3 say they want to do more*. At Options, we believe everyone deserves the chance to be active, included, and proud of what they can achieve.
That’s why we’re celebrating Peter, who recently completed the Liverpool Half Marathon — a huge personal milestone. Peter, who has a learning disability, trained every week with his support worker, Liam. Together, they built a routine, set goals, and stayed motivated. Options matched Liam with supporting Peter due to their similar hobbies and interests in sport.
“Every Tuesday, me and Liam do our 10k run,” Peter shared. “Before the race, we practised the route five times.”
On race day, Peter felt the energy of the crowd. “The atmosphere was amazing. People were cheering us on,” he said. Peter crossed the finish line in just over 2 hours — beating his personal best by three minutes.
Peter’s story is a powerful reminder that people with learning disabilities have goals, talents, ambition, and determination. With the right support in place, Peter can be seen and achieve his goals.
We’re working towards a better world where people with learning disabilities are seen, included, and celebrated – everywhere. You can help us by donating today.
*Data from the English Learning Disability Sports Alliance
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