Lambeth Contact Details
L'Arche Lambeth15 Norwood High Street
London
SE27 9JU.
Email: lambeth@larche.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 670 6714
Fax: 0208 670 0818
About L'Arche Lambeth
In brief: Six shared residential houses, four workshops and a retirement group, and an office.
L'Arche Lambeth was the fourth British LArche community to be founded, in 1977. It was begun by Therese Vanier, who had previously co-founded L'Arche Kent. Brian Mathews and John Collier were the first learning disabled community members. Twenty four years later, Lambeth is the largest UK community, with 100 members, 25 of whom have learning disabilities.
We are a busy community, rooted in the life of West Norwood in south-east London and well-placed to take advantage of all that our capital city has to offer. We are a diverse group of people, reflecting the social diversity of the area. We have many friends in our local shops, parishes and pubs, and we welcome volunteers and others who want to join with us in one way or another.
Our Christian belonging is also diverse. Most community members have their roots in the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. A smaller, but equally important number, belong to the Protestant tradition and we have an increasing number who are involved in one of the Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. Others do not consider themselves to belong to any of the mainstream churches, but wish to explore their faith joumey with respect to others. We celebrate and pray together in the community each day, and try to find creative ways of doing so. Our liturgies during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter are especially important as are the prayers at birthday and anniversary celebrations.
L'Arche Lambeth seeks to place the needs an aspirations of people with learning disabilities at the centre of our shared life. Community members with learning disabilities are welcomed to L'Arche Lambeth for as long as they wish to make it their home. People with learning disabilities who do make L'Arche their home are encouraged to develop their skills and gifts, and to become as independent as possible. We believe that care is mutual, and emphasise the need for strong relationships between all our members, disabled or otherwise.
Our community works closely with other professionals, including those from Social Services, local NHS Trusts, Registration and Inspection Units and health, psychology and disability specialists. We play an active role in local and national thinking about disability issues and are committed to engaging with both theory and practice in this area.
Interested in joining us?
We welcome interest from people wanting to join our community. Prospective assistants need not have specific experience of working with people with learning disabilities, but should want to live a lifestyle that places relationships at the heart of our daily shared life. We offer thorough training and support to all assistants. For further information about becoming an assistant in L'Arche Lambeth, please contact the Assistants' Co-ordinator.
As we offer people with learning disabilities a home for as long as they want it, we do not always have vacancies. Please contact the Community Leader for more information.
Click on the link to view L'Arche Lambeth's website.