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. The city is also world famous for football and home to two of the biggest UK clubs; Manchester United and Manchester City. MediaCityUK, situated on Salford Quays, hosts the BBC and ITV, and represents a growing digital technology industry.

If hiking and the great outdoors is your thing, then you’re in luck. The Peak District is on the doorstep and is only 45 minutes away by train. It boasts spectacular scenery, making it the perfect place for long walks in wild places.

The city has excellent transport links. We are served by an international airport, and there are direct trains to both the south and north of the country. London is only 2 hours and 10 minutes away by train, and Glasgow and Edinburgh are both only 3 hours away by train.

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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.
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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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.
The Hive community café

A community space to eat, meet, and make friends.
Community life

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

L’Arche Manchester offers day activities three days a week (Monday-Wednesday) for people with learning disabilities.
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.
Why volunteer

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