L'Arche Belfast provides full time care for those with learning difficulties in a loving and attentive manner.  The care is provided in ordinary dwelling houses where the members have their own individual space and are cared for by Care Assistants.  L'Arche communties create opportunities for people with learning disabilities to take their place in the world, realising their potential and helps them to make an active contribution to the world.

The organisation obtained the use of an allotment in Dundonald Streamvale Farm which could be used by its members to grow vegetables and fruit.  The area also served as a peaceful rest place and learning area for both the core members and their carers.

L'Arche Belfast were successful in securing a grant of £4,000 towards the salary of a Gardener for the Garden project.  

As a result of the grant the young people have come to view the Allotment as a special place of rest and the members and their carers feel relaxed.  In growing their own flowers and vegetables, the members have a sense of achievement that they have produced their own special work.

'The success of the project is not measured by the extent of the fruit and vegetables grown (although this is highly successful) but by the amount of joy and peace the allotment brings to the core members of L'Arche, the carers and also the many visitors'  Alphonsus Corr, Honary Treasurer

Due to the success of the allotment, L'Arche have now taken on an adjoining allotment, giving the members more space to grow a bigger variety of crops.