ABSTRACT
L’Arche communities Communities established in many countries but founded in France in 1964. By 1983 there were 60 communities all of which were members of the federation of L’Arche which has no legal or statutory powers. It is a separate charity in each country. The communities provide a place to live and work for mentally handicapped and non-mentally handicapped people and vary in size from 12 to 400 members usually with about half of the members having a handicap. In 1983 there were 5 communities in the U.K. One of the aims is to build a community which does not depend on material success or intellectual achievement. It is based on a belief that each individual has something unique to offer and can grow toward freedom in an atmosphere of love and respect.
