The Community Builder

Looking for a home, not just a house?

Build relationships, live rent-free, and work part-time as a care assistant in one of our colourful communities.

The Community Builder programme is a chance to live in a L’Arche home in Preston, Manchester, or London whilst also pursuing your own projects. Community Builders would spend 15-20 hours a week supporting people with learning disabilities to lead full lives and joining in with community life.

This looks like freedom. It’s a chance to do the things I love: live in community and do the work I feel a vocation for. Sydney, Volunteer in L’Arche London

Could the Community Builder be for you?

With rent prices spiralling, the chance to live rent-free would appeal to many people at different life-stages. But the Community Builder is more than that – it’s a chance to live in an inclusive intentional community and build relationships. If you’re looking for a home rather than just a house-share and relationships rather than just a workplace, this is the programme for you.

This is also perfect for someone who likes the idea of living in community but has other commitments and projects. You might be a university student, an artist, or working part-time elsewhere. We will expect applicants to tell us about what they would do with the rest of their time as a Community Builder.

*The Community Builder is for anyone who already has the right to live and work in the UK. If you want to join L'Arche but need a visa, please consider applying to become a Live-In Community Worker.

Latest

Helen Hayes, MP

"It was so good to hear about the issues that matter to you in our local community and in our country. Speaking with you will help me to represent you better in my work as your local MP."
The 50 Challenge

Roll up your sleeves and take part in The 50 Challenge to raise funds for our Jubilee year. You could eat 50 grapes in 50 seconds or create a 50-hour-long playlist and nominate 50 people to donate.
Power Cuppas

We are set to host 50 POWER CUPPAS in L’Arche Communities up and down the country. The idea is to get influential people to come, have tea, meet and hang out with people in L’Arche, who don’t often get to speak to power.
Rory Stewart, politician and podcaster (video)

"The public aren't in large numbers voting for these issues. Politicians tend to respond a lot to where the public's focused so it's really incumbent upon civil society movements to speak up."