Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Newsletter
  • Search
L'Arche-Ipswich
Menu
  • About us
    • What is L'Arche
    • L'Arche in Ipswich
    • History and spirituality
      • History of L'Arche
      • Thérèse Vanier
      • Henri Nouwen
    • News
    • Contact us
  • Help and support
    • Community life
    • Services we offer
      • Housing
      • Day services
    • Rosie's story
    • Nick's story
  • Join our team
    • Join us as an assistant
    • Vacancies
    • What we value
    • Rowland's story
    • Emilia's story
    • Living in Ipswich
    • Equality and diversity
  • Volunteering
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Christelle's story
  • Get involved
    • Walking Together
    • Why we need your help
    • Donate now
    • Leave a legacy
    • Fundraise for us
    • Pray For Us
  • Donate
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Contact us
    • Accessibility
    • Newsletter
    • Search
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Emilia: Reflections on my gap year in L'Arche

Emilia: Reflections on my gap year in L'Arche

Emilia came to L’Arche Ipswich from Germany on her gap year. Before leaving to go back home to study teaching, she reflects on her growth as part of the Community.

‘I think people feel a distance with people with learning disabilities not because they don’t like them, but because they are afraid of interacting with them, afraid of doing something wrong. Sometimes when I go out with core members I notice that some people stare, or treat them like children. When you work with people with learning disabilities you understand that they are just people and you can talk to them as you would anyone else, or any other friend you have.

The main thing about L’Arche is that it doesn’t matter who you are or how you are, you just have to be yourself. You can just enjoy what you’re doing and be happy. The thing that I’ve learned is to enjoy the small moments. For example when a person is happy to see me or if I have a good conversation, or when we laugh together. These small moments really make your whole day.

I don’t have a favourite moment. But there are a few times when I’ve had a bad day and I just sit down with one of the core members who would tell me what they had done that day and how happy they were about it. To see the other people being so happy about something can make me feel really happy about it too.

L’Arche has helped me to open up more. It has taught me a lot. I don’t feel my age anymore - I feel a lot older. I think L’Arche makes you grow up way faster. I’ve also experienced my own boundaries and the boundaries of other people. You can really see where your limits are, in a good way and a bad way. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my character and what I can and can’t do.

L’Arche has changed what’s important for me. It’s not important to have a high status and lots of luxury things. For me now it’s more important to be with others; to get to know people and to help them.’

Published: 28th April, 2020

Author: Helene Gibbings

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Open positions

    Open positions

    Join a values-led team to make a difference. Find out what we have to offer!

  • Team Leader, L'Arche Ipswich

    Team Leader, L'Arche Ipswich

    L'Arche Ipswich is looking for a full-time Team Leader to support the Care Coordinator by leading a house for 6 people with learning disabilities. Applications close 31st of May.

  • Care Assistant, L'Arche Ipswich

    Care Assistant, L'Arche Ipswich

    Join a values-led organisation and make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society in the face of the global pandemic, learn transferable skills and participate in an integrated training and personal development programme.

  • Contact us

Most read

  • Contact us

  • L'Arche in Ipswich

    L'Arche in Ipswich

    Replace this with your content

  • What is L'Arche

    What is L'Arche

    At L’Arche Ipswich 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.

  • Volunteering opportunities

    Volunteering opportunities

    We are always on the lookout for helpful volunteers who would like to support our members.

  • Housing

    Housing

    We have developed homes in Ipswich for people to live in smaller groups or individually, as part of a network of housing options.

  • Join us as an assistant

    Join us as an assistant

    Join us as an assistant at L'Arche and we will give you an experience of difference that will change your life.

  • Living in Ipswich

    Living in Ipswich

  • Community life

    Community life

    Replace this with your content

  • Day services

    Day services

    Our community does not provide day services, but our core members have access to various day programmes.

  • Rowland's story

    Rowland's story

    'I feel that my questions about the nature of community are honestly addressed here and I love being part of these questions and, hopefully, the answer….'

Help clean up cyclone damage in Brisbane

Help clean up cyclone damage in Brisbane

The cyclone hit at 10am this morning. Tens of thousands of dollars damage is already caused, and people are being evacuated and will return to damaged homes. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 14th November, 2017

Author:

L'Arche UK has signed up to the The Driving Up Quality Code See our latest inspection reports from Care Quality Commission

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Connect with us

  • Facebook

Useful links

  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions

L'Arche is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 1055041.
L'Arche is registered as a charity in England and Wales, No. 264166, and in Scotland, No. SC038493.
Registered Office: 10 Briggate, Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 9JT