L’Arche is a grass-roots organization which builds community networks from the ground up for people with and without learning disabilities
Its core value is that of shared lives and of mutual relationships. L’Arche is currently exploring the prospects within Perth for launching a new community.

It offers this new Seed group:
*More than forty years L’Arche experience in the UK
*The first community in Scotland continues to flourish in Inverness,
as does the second in Edinburgh
*There are ten communities in the UK and 148 across the world.
Service provision is one aspect of L’Arche and its shape reflects the desire of local people with learning disabilities, of their networks of relatives and friends and of the commissioning plans of that particular area’s Social Work team. Local plans reflect the existing strengths of the area.

In most cases, this provision begins by supporting local people at home – sometimes in a new home. But L’Arche is always open to responding according to whatever people of a local group value the most. L’Arche always fulfils all the accreditation steps, referrals or SDS arrangements that go with the provision of dual-registered care services with the Local Authority and with the Care Inspectorate. As L’Arche considers the options for a third Scottish community in Perth, the key criteria are whether there is a desire among local people with learning disabilities, their network of friends, their relatives and advocates, to establish the role that a L’Arche community would play as part of that area’s existing communities – and whether that desire is matched within Social Work Health, Housing and regulatory bodies.

Also of key importance is the interest and enthusiasm shown by local people who would then be prepared to get involved as volunteers, helping build up momentum and providing skills for future project development and governance. A network of local people with an ever increasing desire to see L’Arche grow in Perth, must precede the planning, the search for resources and buildings – all of which are essentials to help make this wonderful dream become a reality.

Within such a “Seed Group”, would you consider becoming part of this adventure

Open meetings continue on Sunday 6th August at St Matthew’s Hall: 3pm – 4:30pm

To know more contact Anthony Kramers, Leader for L’Arche Scotland
Level 1, Sugar Bond, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP
07979 810870 anthony.kramers@larche.org.uk
www.larche.org.uk A registered charity SC038493

“To be human is to be spiritual………to be loved and to love, and to open up to those who are different!” – Jean Vanier

‘The spirituality of L’Arche is both profoundly human and profoundly divine. It is like a seed planted by God in the soil of our beings. The soil needs to be tended; the seed needs to be watered and fed….We have been led into the heart of what it means to be human. To be human is to be spiritual…
to be loved and to love, and to open up to those who are different.’

Following the Manchester Terrorist outrage a Book of Condolence is now open St John’s Kirk, it will be available for signing over the days to come.

At 12.20pm tomorrow, prior to the Perth Academy Concert for the Festival of the Arts in St John’s Kirk, a five minute time of remembrance will lead into the children’s concert which, in itself, will speak volumes about Perth’s solidarity with Manchester.