Join us as an assistant

In a world that rewards 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 the experience of community, relationship, disability and difference.

'Quite simply, being part of L'Arche is being loved for who you are.'
Archana, L'Arche London Assistant

Whatever your stage of life, whatever your background and experience, L'Arche has something to offer, and so do you.

People choose to join L'Arche as a support worker for people with learning disabilities (we say 'assistants') for a variety of reasons. Some are mature individuals wanting to give their lives new meaning. Some come to L'Arche to learn or develop new skills and attitudes to people with learning disabilities. Others may be professionals seeking a new context and deeper meaning within which to practice their chosen career.

'Living in L'Arche is like holding a mirror up to yourself and seeing the very best and sometimes the very worst of yourself reflected back.'
Amy, L'Arche Manchester Assistant

There are two ways to work in a L’Arche community; either as a residential assistant or a non-residential assistant.

We are ecumenical Christian communities that welcome people of all faiths and none. If you are hoping to develop your spiritual life there will be opportunities through regular reflection, prayer, retreats and pilgrimages. Whoever you are, in return for the gifts you'll bring, you will discover a very simple and honest joy in the relationships you build with other people, both with and without learning disabilities.

L'Arche is unique, with faith and inclusive community values at our heart. We are a high quality care and support provider, regulated by the Care Quality Commission in England & Wales and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. Excellence in care and a commitment to living in community are essential.

For more information about applying to become an assistant, follow the links below:

Residential assistants

Non-residential assistants

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Ismayil's story

‘I think L’Arche is one of those places where you can change the world, and changing the world starts with changing yourself.’
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.
Thérèse Vanier

Thérèse Vanier established the first L’Arche community in the UK, in Canterbury, in 1974. In the 1960s she became the first female consultant at St Thomas’ hospital in London. She was a pioneer in palliative care, working with Cicely Saunders at St Christopher’s Hospital in London. Colleagues agree that it was Thérèse who did more than anyone else to bring the principles and practice of palliative medicine to a wider francophone world.

What is L'Arche

At L’Arche Kent we celebrate people with learning disabilities and build circles of support around them. We go beyond basic needs to attend to people’s emotional and spiritual lives.
Ramil's story

‘L’Arche is teaching me about patience. It teaches me to empathise with other people and learn what it means to know people very, very deeply.’