Avenues East

Also known as: Optua (east Anglia), Rethink Disability, Learning Through Leisure, Optua

Avenues East is part of a Group of charities which pioneer specialist social care supporting people facing significant disadvantage through illness and disability so they can live full lives in their local communities. We also support adults and children in their own homes or residential settings who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health issues, acquired brain injury or dementia.

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Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Local Authority

Cambridgeshire Norfolk Shropshire Suffolk

Financial Information

Latest Income

£7,476,000

Latest Expenditure

£8,205,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 109.8%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 89% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 3130). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 100.0%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 100% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 0.0%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 90% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £0

Charitable Activities £7,476,000

Other Trading £0

Investments £0

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £8,205,000

Raising Funds £0

Governance £0

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£7,476,000	£8,205,000	£8,205,000	-£1,106,000	£0	258 / 6
2024	£7,644,593	£8,076,000	£8,076,000	-£377,000	£0	300 / 7
2023	£7,007,068	£7,364,661	£7,364,661	£54,455	£54,455	282 / 6
2022	£6,565,011	£6,426,409	£6,426,409	£412,091	£412,091	282 / 6
2021	£6,040,000	£5,961,000	£5,961,000	£273,000	£89,000	189 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Avenues East

What does Avenues East do?

How much income did Avenues East report in 2025?

Avenues East reported total income of £7.48m and reported expenditure of £8.21m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Avenues East?

Avenues East has a program ratio of 109.8%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 89% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 3130 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Avenues East registered as a charity?

Avenues East was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 13 March 1997 as charity number 1061241. It has been registered for 29 years.

Who runs Avenues East?

Avenues East is governed by a board of 7 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Avenues East operate?

Avenues East operates across 4 areas: Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Suffolk.

Is Avenues East a registered charity?

Yes — Avenues East is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1061241.