Project 21 was established in 2000. 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 Special Olympics Isle of Man.
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.