July 2025

The first Hopefest was organised by L'Arche Nottingham in 2020, when all the summer festivals were cancelled during the Covid pandemic. Since then, it's moved from Hope Valley in Derbyshire to an outdoor adventure centre in the West Midlands. But Hopefest 2025, involving around 200 people from every L'Arche UK Community, was as fun as ever. Enjoy some of the highlights in the photos below. 

A woman wearing a safety helmet walking on high ropes

Chloe braved the high ropes

Making paper tulips for a field of origami flowers

We created a field of origami flowers

A man in a wheelchair has his face painted with flowers and glitter

Josh was one of many to have his face painted

Two men putting up a tent in a field

When we arrived on the first evening, we put up our tents

Canteen with people serving and eating a meal

After that, it was time for curry night ...

Two people striding through a field - one holding the arm of the other

... and a chance to connect with friends

Three people dressed up

We loved dressing up during the drama workshop

A woman in a wheelchair with arm stretched out to hold the hand of a friend

We spent time thinking together about kindness

We sang old songs around the campfire

Two people perform a tea party holding a cardboard teapot and cup

We staged a "tea party" to celebrate five years with National Leader John Casson

A woman singing into a microphone with a man behind, hand on chest

Iris led everyone in moving and impromptu rendition of Amazing Grace

People surround Laura with eyes closed in gestures of prayer and blessing

We blessed new National Leader Laura Harper as she takes over from John