(A) Opta - (Asian) Organisation For The Prevention And Treatment Of Addiction
Charity 1093552
Overview
Summary
Opta appears to occupy a culturally focused position within addiction support: its charitable purpose explicitly foregrounds drug and alcohol addiction in, though not limited to, South Asian communities. The available evidence suggests an operating model centred on advocacy, advice and information rather than confirmed clinical treatment delivery. Its remit also connects substance misuse with mental health and includes support for other voluntary bodies, indicating a possible role in improving access, understanding and referral pathways across a wider community support network.
Operational geography
Coverage: Citywide
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence: the Charity Commission's current register entry reports that the charity operates in Birmingham City (and also the City of Westminster). This supports a Birmingham-wide declared operating geography, but does not identify service-delivery neighbourhoods, venues or referral locations.
- Reasonable interpretation: Birmingham is a reported operating geography, so its overall Birmingham footprint is best classified as citywide rather than neighbourhood-based or district-based.
- The charity contact address and the CIC's registered office cannot safely be treated as a service-delivery site: Companies House describes it only as a registered office, and the Charity Commission states that the charity does not own or lease land or property.
- No authoritative current evidence was found of operational partnerships, commissioned delivery arrangements, outreach venues, or services located in particular Birmingham wards.
- Although the Charity Commission record includes the City of Westminster as an operating area, the available evidence does not establish the nature, scale or current location of activity there.
Additional evidence needed
- A current service directory, annual report, impact report or project update specifying where advocacy, advice, prevention or treatment work is delivered in Birmingham.
- Confirmation from the organisation of whether its contact address is used for client-facing activity, administration only, or correspondence only.
- Evidence from current commissioners or partner organisations identifying any referral, outreach or delivery arrangements and the Birmingham areas they cover.
- Information on the volume and geographic origin of current beneficiaries, while distinguishing beneficiary residence from service-delivery location.
Areas of work
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- Other Defined Groups
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A culturally specific gateway into addiction support
The organisation appears designed to address addiction through a South Asian community focus while retaining a broader remit. This may reflect recognition that cultural relevance, stigma or trust can shape whether people seek help for drug and alcohol problems.
Why it matters
This distinguishes Opta from a generalist addiction charity: its potential contribution may lie in making support more accessible to people who could otherwise be poorly reached by mainstream provision.
Show evidence
“The relief of persons suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, in particular but not exclusively the South Asian community.”
Source:Charity Commission“People of a particular ethnic or racial origin.”
Source:Charity Commission
An information and advocacy role may complement treatment services
Although its objects refer to developing treatment and prevention projects, the recorded method of helping is advocacy, advice and information. This suggests Opta may function as a bridge into support, rather than being evidenced here as a direct treatment provider.
Why it matters
Understanding this distinction is important for identifying complementary partners: treatment providers may offer clinical capacity, while Opta may help people navigate services and engage earlier.
Show evidence
“Provides advocacy/advice/information.”
Source:Charity Commission“Developing drug treatment and prevention projects.”
Source:Charity Commission
Potential network-facing capacity
The inclusion of other charities and voluntary bodies among intended beneficiaries may indicate that Opta's knowledge or support is not confined to individuals. It may have a role in strengthening other organisations' responses to addiction and mental health.
Why it matters
This raises a useful question about whether Opta could act as a connector, cultural adviser or referral partner within the local voluntary sector.
Show evidence
“Other charities or voluntary bodies.”
Source:Charity Commission“Substance use /misuse and mental health.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether Opta currently provides direct treatment, prevention projects, referrals or only advice and advocacy.
- Which geographic area and South Asian communities it serves.
- Whether mental health support is integrated into its addiction work or recorded as a separate activity.
- What relationships it has with treatment providers, community groups and other charities.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent service descriptions, annual reports and outcome data showing how people are supported.
- Information on partnerships, referral routes, languages, outreach methods and geographic coverage.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Substance use /misuse and mental health
Charity objects
THE RELIEF OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY BY DEVELOPING DRUG TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROJECTS.