Information in English for people who want to live and work with us.
Welcome to L'Arche Germany.
We look forward to seeing you.
You are important to us – become part of our community.
L’Arche Germany offers communities for people with and without cognitive impairments.
This means:
people live and work together in one place.
They shape this place together and take responsibility for one another.
Where is L’Arche located?
L’Arche is located in many countries around the world.
L’Arche Germany is part of this international community.
There are three communities in Germany:
• in Landsberg in Bavaria,
• in Ravensburg in Baden-Württemberg
• and in Tecklenburg in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Living at L’Arche Germany:
You can live in our communities.
You will live there in a house together with other people – including people from other countries.
Assistants also live in the house.
Everyone cooks and eats together, celebrates festivals and supports each other in everyday life.
This creates a colourful and lively community.
Community is very important at L’Arche Germany.
You can also live with us in your old age.
L’Arche ensures that you feel safe and receive the support you need.
You have a say in how you want to live.
Your opinion counts.
Working at L’Arche Germany:
You can also work at L’Arche, for example
• in a workshop,
• in the residential building,
• in the kitchen
• or in the garden.
You take on tasks that you enjoy, that you are good at or that interest you.
If you need support, you will receive it.
You can learn new things and are an important part of the community.
You actively help to shape community life.
Experiencing community:
L’Arche Germany, every person is important and is allowed to be themselves.
Everyone lives together in trust and respect.
With us, you will experience:
• Friendship,
• Peace and joy,
• Joint prayers and celebrations,
• and also Good days and difficult days – in community.
You will always belong.
Living in old age at L’Arche Germany:
You can also live at L’Arche Germany in old age.
You will receive more support in everyday life if you want it.
You can participate in the community or withdraw – whatever is best for you.
Care and support are a matter of course.
You remain part of the community until the end of your life.
The goal of the L’Arche Germany:
L’Arche Germany wants to live in community and show that every person is valuable.
It campaigns against exclusion and promotes inclusion.
Love, respect and dignified interaction with one another are important foundations.
Faith and Christian values have a firm place in everyday life at L’Arche.
These include, for example:
• love,
• hope,
• justice
• and a life without violence.
Everyone should feel welcome and accepted at L’Arche.
Voluntary service at L’Arche Germany:
You can do meaningful work as part of a voluntary service programme,
either through the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) or the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ).
In most cases, your stay with us lasts at least one year.
You can start in September (via Caritas) or in February (via Mennonitischer Freiwilligendienst e. V. – Christliche Dienste and Caritas).
You also have the option to extend your stay to 1.5 or even 2 years.
As a volunteer, you receive pocket money, free meals and accommodation.
Your insurance is also covered.
Living and working together:
You should be open to living and working closely with around 15 very different people, with and without disabilities.
Daily life is shaped by mutual relationships, shared responsibilities and spirituality.
Language skills:
It is essential that you can speak and understand German at level B1.
Would you like to get in touch?
You can call your contact person or send them an email.
L'Arche Germany (main association)
Corina Sandersfeld
National Leader of L'Arche Germany
Phone: +49 155 601 547 17
E-Mail: corina.sandersfeld@arche-deutschland.de
L'Arche Landsberg (Bavaria)
Bianca Berger
Leader of L'Arche Landsberg
Phone: +49 8191 657 23 84
E-Mail: landsberg@arche-deutschland.de
L'Arche Ravensburg (Baden-Württemberg)
Rebecca Schmidt
Leader of L'Arche Ravensburg
Phone: +49 751 3528 76 0
E-Mail: ravensburg@arche-deutschland.de
L'Arche Tecklenburg (North Rhine-Westphalia)
André Slaar
Leader of L'Arche Tecklenburg
Telefon: +49 5482 77 00
E-Mail: tecklenburg@arche-deutschland.de