Henri Nouwen

In the summer of 1985 Henri Nouwen left his role as a professor at Harvard Divinity School and joined the L’Arche community in Trosly-Brueil, France. Henri spent nine months living and sharing in life with people with and without learning disabilities. At the end of this period of discernment, Henri joined the L’Arche Daybreak community in Canada to serve as their pastor, where he lived until his death in 1996.

Henri wrote extensively about his experiences sharing in life with people with learning disabilities. The Road to Daybreak is Henri’s diary, written during his time with the L’Arche community in Trosly. In it he reflects intimately on his life as an academic and his yearning to be in a place that would bring him ‘closer to the heart of God.’

During Henri’s years with the L’Arche Daybreak community, he supported a young man called Adam who was severely disabled. Henri was asked to support and care for Adam. In his book, Adam: God’s Beloved, Henri describes how, through Adam, he came to a new and deeper understanding of his faith and what it means to be beloved of God.

Henri Nouwen remains a much loved spiritual guide to many for the way in which he so openly wrote about his own struggles, vulnerabilities, frailties and doubts.

Henri Nouwen's books include The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, The Road to Daybreak, Adam: God's Beloved and Turn My Mourning Into Dancing.

Henri died in September 1996.

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Pádraig Ó Tuama: Community as practice, pain and promise

Faith and Light

As well as L'Arche, Jean Vanier co-founded the international Faith and Light organisation. The idea was conceived when Jean’s friend, Marie-Helene Matthieu, introduced him to Gerard and Camille, the parents of two boys with severe learning disabilities. Gerard and Camille wanted to take their sons on a trip to Lourdes but were told they would disturb the other pilgrims. In response, Jean and Marie-Helene spent 3 years planning a pilgrimage for people with learning disabilities and their family.
Thérèse Vanier

Thérèse Vanier established the first L’Arche community in the UK, in Canterbury, in 1974. She is remembered for her determination and drive to affect change in the world, her humour, and her great love of people; especially people with learning disabilities and in the last stages of life.
Jean Vanier: Biography

Jean Vanier founded L'Arche in 1964, after becoming aware of the plight of thousands of people with learning disabilities who were institutionalised in France. He was an inspiring teacher whose life was testament to a radically different way of living and being in the world. He created a Community where people with and without learning disabilities were living together.

Live-in assistants

L'Arche live-in assistants live and work in our Communities with and alongside people with learning disabilities. They provide them care and support. Apply here.
Join us as an assistant

Spend a year as an assistant and we will give you an experience of difference that will change your life.
L'Arche in the UK

There are eleven L’Arche Communities based across the UK, where persons with and without learning disabilities live together. Volunteers and care workers are providing support. They try to promote Jean Vanier philosophy. All faiths are welcomed.
What we do

In a world that values winning, L’Arche Communities are places where people with and without learning disabilities can discover who they are and not just what they can do.
Statement from L'Arche, following the verdict at the inquest into the death of Joe Ulleri

Speaking outside the Coroner’s Court in Manchester, Kevin Coogan, Community Leader of L’Arche Manchester, read out the following statement on behalf of L’Arche.
Jean Vanier: Biography

Jean Vanier founded L'Arche in 1964, after becoming aware of the plight of thousands of people with learning disabilities who were institutionalised in France. He was an inspiring teacher whose life was testament to a radically different way of living and being in the world. He created a Community where people with and without learning disabilities were living together.
Summer in the Forest

Summer in the Forest is a full-length feature film about our founder Jean Vanier and the L’Arche communities in Trosly, France and Bethlehem. It tells how two L’Arche communities, though quite different from those in the UK, share our common values, and shows how people with learning disabilities and assistants / care workers that support them are living together.
L’Arche statement following the recent BBC Panorama documentary and the release of the CQC report into the detainment of people with learning disabilities

The Panorama programme aired by the BBC on Wednesday 22nd May showing the abuse of people with learning disabilities, and the recently published CQC report revealing the detainment of people with learning disabilities and autism in ATUs (Assessment and Treatment Units), once again reveals the appalling mistreatment and abuse experienced by some of society’s most vulnerable people.
Jean Vanier interview: belonging in a time of loneliness.

We interviewed Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, at his home in the L'Arche Trosly Community in France. Listen to Jean as he reflects on ageing and fragility, loss and loneliness, and the mystery that compels people to L'Arche.
Supported living

While some individuals wish to live in a home with other people, others prefer to be supported to live independently. At L’Arche we help people to choose a way of life that feels right for them, and for their families.