L'Arche in Manchester

L’Arche Manchester opened its doors in 2013. Our first house, Heathside, is home to four young adults with learning disabilities and several live-in assistants who share life together. Four years later we opened our second house, No.16, which is home to four women with learning disabilities and several live-in assistants. In 2018 we opened our third house, a self-contained space, to support the needs of one of our existing core members.

Our houses are embedded within the local communities they are situated in, and our neighbours are frequently seen being welcomed in for cups of tea and shared meals.

As well as shared living, L’Arche Manchester offers day activities (Monday-Wednesday) for its members and for people with learning disabilities in the wider Manchester community. We run activities including a gardening and allotment group, inclusive yoga, music, bread-making, and storytelling.

And that’s not all! In partnership with the Withington and Fallowfield Foodbank, and St Paul’s Church in Withington, we run a community cafe – The Hive – three days a week (Monday-Wednesday). The Hive is run by people with and without learning disabilities who serve delicious, home-cooked meals at affordable prices. The Hive is a space where people are made to feel welcome and where those who want to can meet others for conversation and good food.

We are a vibrant and growing community, well loved by our neighbours. We have a vision for people with and without learning disabilities to be at the heart of their local communities, and to see the gifts of people with learning disabilities in Manchester recognised and celebrated.

Latest

House Leader

£19,570 - £20,634 (40 hours a week). Offered as a permanent role
Hopegoblin Ceilidh Band at St Paul's Church Hall

Join us at St Paul's Church Hall on Friday 19th October from 7.30-10.30 for a live Ceilidh band! Tickets are £5 on the door. Bring your own booze and food to share
Our impact: Amanda's story

Amanda’s daughter, Laura, is the founding core member of the L’Arche Manchester community. In this piece, Amanda reflects on the challenges of caring for a child with a learning disability and how L’Arche has transformed hers, and Laura’s life.
Bella's story

Bella was a volunteer in the Hive community Kitchen with L’Arche Manchester. She came to L’Arche from her home country of Indonesia with the Vincentians. Here she learnt about patience, vulnerability and the preciousness of people with and without learning disabilities.

What is L'Arche

At L’Arche Manchester 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.
Join us as an assistant

Spend a year as an assistant at L'Arche Manchester and we will give you an experience of difference that will change your life.
Bella's story

Bella was a volunteer in the Hive community Kitchen with L’Arche Manchester. She came to L’Arche from her home country of Indonesia with the Vincentians. Here she learnt about patience, vulnerability and the preciousness of people with and without learning disabilities.
Community life

What makes L’Arche different is the attention we pay to building relationships and creating a sense of belonging within our Communities.
Shared living

Our houses in South Manchester provide accommodation to people with learning disabilities and live-in assistants.
L'Arche in Manchester

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Day activities

L’Arche Manchester offers day activities three days a week (Monday-Wednesday) for people with learning disabilities.
Our impact: Amanda's story

Amanda’s daughter, Laura, is the founding core member of the L’Arche Manchester community. In this piece, Amanda reflects on the challenges of caring for a child with a learning disability and how L’Arche has transformed hers, and Laura’s life.
Why volunteer

We are always welcoming of people who wish to join L'Arche Manchester as either volunteers or friends.
Life in Manchester

Often referred to as the ‘capital of the north,’ Manchester is a dynamic, culturally rich, and diverse city. It may rain more than most other UK cities, but we don’t let that dampen our spirits. It is a city renowned for its music, arts and culture. With a long campaigning history, it was the birthplace of the Suffragette Emily Pankhurst, and is known for its thriving LGBTQ+ community.