L'Arche in Kent

L'Arche Kent was the first L'Arche community to be founded in the UK, in 1974. The community comprises of three L'Arche houses where people with learning disabilities, and assistants, live and share life together. In addition, the community supports twelve people with learning disabilities to live the lives they choose to live, either in their own home or in shared housing.

A vibrant and active gardening group called the ‘Glebe’ grows plants that we sell to the public on the high street in Canterbury; while our craft team makes beautiful handmade candles, rugs, greetings cards and other artisan products.

In L’Arche Kent we believe that everybody – people with learning disabilities, assistants and Community friends – have need of one another.

We all have something to give to, and to receive from, one another. Often this involves doing small, simple, day-to-day things: going for walks, having a cup of tea, or just spending time together.

We organise monthly Community Gatherings, days of reflection, celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries, parties, retreats, and pilgrimages. We value our relationships with our neighbours, parishes, families and friends.

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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.