L'Arche Ireland

opis organizacji

L’Arche Ireland, founded in 1978 in Co. Kilkenny, is an accredited not for profit organisation and registered with the Charity Authority. We provide high quality housing and supported living, day support services and social enterprises for our members (core members - adults) who have an Intellectual Disability. We now have communities in Cork, Dublin and Belfast (L’Arche Belfast has its own funding and Board, however, we work in partnership where possible). We work to ensure that individual core members needs are met in a holistic manner, and are supported to live fully integrated, meaningful and empowered lives within the wider communities in which they live. The ups and downs of daily life are shared by all, core members, staff and a team of dedicated volunteers from around the world, in an atmosphere of friendship and belonging. We have different day projects in our Communities, both for our residential and day core members, ranging from candles, cards, weaving, ceramics, catering, cafe, gardening, music, woodwork, art/painting, up-cycle / re-use project culminating in a fashion show, projects centred around special events - Valentines Day, Halloween Christmas etc.

L’Arche Ireland Central Office provides management, financial, HR, outreach programmes, fundraising, training, supervisory supports and guidance to its 3 Communities who currently provide 44 residential places / shared homes / individual apartments and day placements in their respective communities. We have a number of volunteers who support community projects on a seasonal basis – gardening, horticulture projects, Christmas Fair etc. Each community has its own management team and receives funding from the HSE. L'Arche Ireland is governed by L'Arche Ireland Central Board.

The following links give a flavour of daily life in L'Arche Ireland Communities:-
L'Arche Cafe, Callan, Co. Kilkenny: https://www.facebook.com/larcheireland/videos/1630316000338004/
L'Arche Cork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7xkGGP8ChU
L'Arche Kilkenny celebrating Christmas: https://www.facebook.com/larcheireland/videos/557670128125349/
L'Arche Dublin: Thank You to Mattress Mick' for the donation of mattresses: https://www.facebook.com/larcheireland/posts/2312403515462579?comment_id=2313935188642745&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
L'Arche Belfast: https://www.facebook.com/larcheireland/videos/1579871272049144/

Our unique model of ‘Community’ creating places of belonging for people with an intellectual disability; spaces that enable each person, regardless of their background or level of ability, live as full citizens and contribute their unique gifts to society has withstood the test of time. We pride ourselves on our person-centred approach and this has been affirmed by the Irish Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

L’Arche Ireland is affiliated to L’Arche International (www.larche.org). L’Arche, meaning Noah's Ark, was founded in France in 1964 and from this humble beginning L’Arche has grown to over 150 communities worldwide. The Federation represents its members on a global level. It also supports communities, through leadership structures, training, administrative or financial assistance, depending on the local needs, and facilitates the sharing of experiences and resources.
We strive for unity in our diversity; from one continent to another the same inspiration brings to life the spirituality of our communities. This is a spirit of encounter, listening, empathy and solidarity.

Communities that are the same and not the same; from one culture to another, each community creates its own models e.g. one community will create a network of families while another will focus around residences. One community will run a workshop while another will offer social and creative arts activities to the public. All help us to forge reciprocal relationships. Common to all Communities is the wonderful contribution from volunteers.

Solidarity: L’Arche International supports Communities in countries where there is either inadequate or no Government support in place. Each year L’Arche Ireland ensures that there is a workable balance of restricted and unrestricted funds raised so that we consistently meet our Solidarity commitment of 10%. A percentage of our 2019 Solidarity fund went to L’Arche Zagreb.