In 2002 five of the main special nees charities on the Isle of Man (Manx Mencap, Manx Gateway Club, IOM Special Olympics, Autism in Mann and Down's Syndrome IOM) combined to form a new registered charity- Project 21, a project for the 21st Century
The aim of the charity was to obtain land and then develop a new building as the headquarters/ social centre for all people with a learning disablity. There was no facility of this kind on the Island
A suitable site was obtained from the government and a professional team engaged to carry out the design and construction. Work began on the site in August 2005, and the building was handed over at the end of July 2007
It comprises a large hall suitable for sports and social functions, 2 downstairs meeting/ activity rooms and upstairs a computer room and the Mencap Office/ Meeting Room
The total cost of the building has been £1.77 million. We estimate the running costs per annum to be in the region of £17,500
The building has been in use by various charities since the beginning of September 2007, 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.
All of the money which has been raised has come from our own fund-raising and local Trusts, Compnaies, Clubs and Individuals, to whom we are all very grateful
