L'Arche globally

The International Federation of L’Arche Communities is a global organisation that supports people with learning disabilities all over the world.

Today there are more than one hundred and forty L’Arche communities in thirty-five countries around the world from Belgium to Brazil, Uganda to the United States. More than three and a half thousand people with learning disabilities are currently supported by L’Arche.

While Communities around the world share in the philosophy of L’Arche, each Community celebrates and lives its own cultural and spiritual expression of community. At L’Arche, we value and celebrate the diversity within our Communities.

Latest

Emilia: Reflections on my gap year in L'Arche

Emilia came to L’Arche Ipswich from Germany on her gap year. Before leaving the Community to study teaching, Emilia reflects on her growth as part of the Community.
These are the things I want to tell you about Joe Ulleri

Joe Ulleri was a much-loved core member in L’Arche Manchester. His death, three years ago, attracted national media interest last week when a jury inquest ruled that failures in his care, while in hospital, constituted neglect, which contributed to his death. In this reflective piece, Nem Tomlinson from L’Arche Manchester shares her memories and stories of Joe.
'If there’s space for everyone then there’s space for me and therefore there’s space for me how I am.'

Reflections from L'Arche Ipswich
Easter Appeal 2019

This year, our Easter Appeal is raising money for our Communities in India.

L'Arche in the UK

There are twelve L’Arche Communities based across the UK.

Residential vacancies

L'Arche live-in assistants live and work in our Communities with and alongside people with learning disabilities. 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 twelve L’Arche Communities based across the UK.
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

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 has been, and remains, an inspiring teacher. His life is testament to a radically different way of living and being in the world.Jean’s awards include the French Legion of Honour, Companion of the Order of Canada, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award 2001, the International Paul VI Award, and the Templeton Prize.
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.
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.
Shared living

Across our twelve Communities in the UK we offer a range of high quality, person-centred residential support to more than two hundred individuals with learning disabilities.