It was set up by some members of Morningside Baptist Church who wanted to do something about the housing and support needs of a member of their congregation.

ARK was one of the pioneers in providing housing and support for people with a learning difficulty. Initially accommodation and support was mostly provided in 'community houses'

At that time many people with learning difficulties spent their lives in hospital; ARK gave them an opportunity to lead a more normal life, constrained though the provision was by a funding system which could only support people if they lived in a group living setting.

Recent funding changes for support means that it is now feasible for many people to live independently in the community, and ARK has been reconfiguring its community houses to give as many people as possible a self contained flat of their own. The majority of the people that we support now live in either their own flat or share with one other person.

Most recently, our Housing and Support departments have pioneered developments that meet the specific needs of people with autistic spectrum disorder, dementia and Prader Willi Syndrome.

ARK continues to listen and learn, and remains committed to putting the needs and wishes of tenants at the centre of everything it does.