After a decade of meetings, fundraising, praying, gatherings and celebrations L’Arche Manchester opened its doors in 2013 with our first house Heathside. Heathside is home to four adults with learning disabilities and several live-in assistants who share life together. Since then, we have grown consistently, opening new houses with community and shared life at the heart of them. In 2016 Bluebell, a shared house for 4 people with learning disabilities opened followed by Forget Me Not and Sunflower in 2018. In 2021 we opened Rose, our latest house.

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. We enable people with learning disabilities to be active participants in their wider community; whether that be attending places of worship, achieving a personal best at Park Run, joining a local choir or paid employment. 

As well as shared living, L’Arche Manchester offers day activities 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, card making, bread-making and more.

In partnership with the Withington and Fallowfield Foodbank, and St Paul’s Church in Withington, (outside the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic) 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 have a vibrant community life and there is plenty to be getting involved in whether that's our regular Boogie Nights, monthly Gatherings, trips to the theatre or pub, walks in the countryside and prayer evenings.  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.