Who we are
Project 21 was established in 2000, at the very beginning of the 21st Century. Five local Manx charities supporting people with learning difficulties had a collective vision and made the commitment for representatives from each of their charities to work together on an exciting and ambitious project. The project - to build a new centre for people with learning difficulties.
The five Manx charities are Manx Mencap, Down’s Syndrome Isle of Man, Autism in Mann, Manx Gateway and the Isle of Man Special Olympics.
A suitable site was obtained from the IOM Government and a professional team engaged to carry out the design and construction. Work began on site in 2005 and the building was handed over at the end of July 2007, officially opened by Lieutenant Governor, Sir Paul Haddacks, and Lady Haddacks. Since then the Centre, named Centre 21, has been in use by various charities, and as a result many of these charities have been able to extend the range of activities they can offer their members from drama and music to all kinds of sport.
Our aims
- To create a centre as the headquarters/social centre for all people with a learning disability on the Isle of Man
- To constantly improve the facilities and to increase the choice of activities on offer
- Empower people with learning disabilities who use Centre 21
The work we do
Centre 21 comprises on the ground floor: a full sized hall suitable for sports and social functions, a fully fitted kitchen, a function room which can be divided as two smaller rooms or used as one large one, toilets and shower rooms with disabled access. On the first floor (fully accessible by stairs or lift): the Mencap office and meeting room, a computer room with a suite of six computers, a small kitchen and a viewing gallery over the sports hall.
There are a variety of activities held at Centre 21. For example, on Tuesdays there is the Gateway Club and on Thursdays the Gateway Drama Club. The Special Olympics meet several days per week for Keep Fit, Badminton, Football, Bocce and Floor Hockey. Meetings, fundraising events, social events, therapy sessions are all held at Centre 21. Many other charities make use of the facilities on offer, the number and range of activities increasing all the time.
How you can help
Project 21 receives no Government funding. Centre 21 has been built and equipment bought through fundraising, we are constantly looking at ways to improve the facilities and replace equipment. Funds are needed for the general upkeep of the premises, it costs over £20,000 a year to maintain the Centre. Project 21 receive donations from other organisations for the use of Centre 21.
Fundraising, if you would like to help our team please contact Joyce Humphrey, we would love to hear from you. If your place of work is looking for a charity to support, whether for a dress down day at work, a charity function please think of Project 21! Even better, make Project 21 your Charity of the Year! Volunteers make a vital contribution by giving time and support, if you would like to assist please get in touch with us.
If you would like to use Centre 21 for your private function, please get in touch.
Donations. Every single contribution makes a difference to the lives of people with learning difficulties.