About L'Arche
In a world that places such value on success and winning, L'Arche communities are places where people can take time to explore who they are, not just what they can do. They are places of welcome where people are transformed by an intense experience of community, relationship, disability and difference.
L'Arche is an international movement which builds faith based communities, with people with learning disabilities, all over the world. Our communities here in the UK support people with learning disabilities to reach their full potential.
Like other support providers we are regulated and inspected to ensure a high quality of provision. We are committed to the following core values:
Simple Shared Life
All of the communities in the UK began by creating simple, shared home life in shared houses. This commitment to simple, shared life remains a core value. And we are now exploring new ways of living in community and supporting people to lead more interdependent lives, if that is what they choose, in their own flats or in smaller shared houses.
Our core values and practices are the same in each community but there are also many differences, particularly in size, make up and setting.
Spirituality
L'Arche communities are faith based. We welcome people of all faiths and none. We believe that in order to grow we need to nurture the whole person, including our inner selves. We therefore make time for regular prayer and reflection within community life. This spirituality is central to what we do and who we are.
Servant Leadership & Subsidiarity
We share our identity and mission and common policies but L’Arche is not a typical organisation with a top down management structure. Instead, we are committed to the concepts of servant leadership and subsidiarity: wherever and whenever possible decisions are taken by those who they affect most. People with disabilities play a vital role in this process. Find out more about L'Arche and inclusion.
Solidarity
L'Arche in the UK is part of the Federation of L'Arche. Our membership of this international family plays a key role in our identity and vision, and enriches the lives of those with and without disabilities who take part in its events and exchanges. The UK makes an essential contribution in terms of resources to this worldwide movement.
