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

Beth's London Marathon
London Marathon 2019
Advent Appeal: Belonging in a time of loneliness

In a world that can feel lonely and isolating for many, L’Arche communities are places where people with and without learning disabilities can experience belonging, joy and friendship. Please help us to continue in our mission.
Advent Appeal: Belonging in a time of loneliness

In a world that can feel lonely, L’Arche communities are places where people with and without learning disabilities can experience belonging. Please help us to continue in our mission.

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.
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.
Support Assistant, L'Arche London

40 hours per week. Permanent contract. Immediate start - Spring 2018.
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.