Common Questions
The things people ask us most, answered plainly
Home · Common Questions
If your question is not here, phone us on 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk. There is always someone happy to help.
Finding us and getting in touch
What is Manx Family Centre?
Manx Family Centre is the trading name of Manx Family Community Association Ltd, an Isle of Man registered charity, number 1153. It is based at Nobles Hall on Westmoreland Road in Douglas and serves every parish on the Island. It runs a Mobile Library, a Home Delivery Service, the Treasured Memories programme, family activities, a Schools Service and a community centre space.
Where is Manx Family Centre and when is it open?
Manx Family Centre is at Nobles Hall, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1RL. It is open Tuesday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 1.30pm to 5pm, Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10.30am to 4pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. The phone number is 01624 640650.
How do I contact Manx Family Centre?
Phone Manx Family Centre on 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk. The Centre is at Nobles Hall, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1RL, open Tuesday to Saturday. For the Friends of the Centre, email friends@manxfca.co.uk. For Treasured Memories, email graeme.jolly@manxfca.co.uk. Current news is on the Facebook page.
Is the Centre accessible?
Yes. The entrance at Nobles Hall is step free, with easy access for prams and wheelchairs, and there are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. If you have a particular access need, phone 01624 640650 before you visit and we will make sure everything is ready for you.
Is there parking at the Centre?
There is no parking directly at Nobles Hall. The entrance is step free with easy access for prams and wheelchairs, and there are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities inside. If you have a particular access need, phone 01624 640650 before you visit.
Can I hire a room at Nobles Hall?
Yes. Nobles Hall has space for events, seminars and meetings, and rooms can be hired. Fees depend on whether the booking is for a charity or a commercial organisation, so email info@manxfca.co.uk with what you need and we will come back to you with a price.
Joining, and what it costs
How much does membership cost?
Membership costs £30 a year for a whole family, whatever the size of that family. The same £30 also covers Mobile Library membership, so one payment covers both. Nobody is turned away from Manx Family Centre because they cannot pay. To ask about membership, phone 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk.
What if I cannot afford the £30 membership?
Nobody is turned away from Manx Family Centre because they cannot pay. If the £30 family membership fee is difficult, speak to the team at the Centre in Douglas, or to the team on the Mobile Library, and ask. You can also phone 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk. The Centre serves every parish on the Isle of Man.
How do I join?
Joining is done in person rather than online. Pick up a membership form at the Centre at Nobles Hall in Douglas, or ask the team on the Mobile Library for one. Fill it in, hand it back and pay the £30 family fee for the year, either at the Centre or on the Mobile Library. To ask a question first, phone 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk. There is more on the membership page.
Is the play space free?
The play space at Nobles Hall is free to members, Tuesday to Saturday, within the Centre's opening times. Family membership costs £30 a year and covers everyone in the family, whatever its size. Nobody is turned away because they cannot pay. Phone Manx Family Centre on 01624 640650 to ask about a visit.
Books on the road and at the door
Where does the Mobile Library stop, and when?
The Mobile Library visits communities across the Isle of Man. Routes change with TT, the weather and road closures, so there is no fixed printed timetable. Current stops are posted on the Manx Family Centre Facebook page. You can also phone the Centre on 01624 640650 and ask where the Mobile Library will be next. There is more on the Mobile Library page.
How many books can I borrow?
Twelve per person at the moment, for two weeks, and longer if you need it. There is no charge for late returns. On the Mobile Library we do not set a number, because people find their own level of borrowing, and when the van is off the road for a week you can take extra to cover the gap.
Can books be brought to my home if I cannot get out?
Yes. Manx Family Centre runs a Home Delivery Service for people who cannot travel to the Centre or reach a Mobile Library stop. To arrange a delivery, or to ask whether your area is covered, phone 01624 640650 or email info@manxfca.co.uk. The Centre serves every parish on the Isle of Man.
What is Treasured Memories?
Treasured Memories is a reminiscence programme run by Manx Family Centre for people living with memory challenges, dementia or social isolation. Sessions use books, photographs, artefacts, music and storytelling. To ask about the programme, or to arrange a place for someone, email Graeme Jolly at graeme.jolly@manxfca.co.uk or phone the Centre on 01624 640650.
What is on, and who it is for
What family activities do you run?
Manx Family Centre runs Boogie and Bounce music sessions, Story Box and Toddle Tots on Friday mornings from 10.30am, craft workshops for all ages, special events and World Book Day, alongside a play space at Nobles Hall in Douglas. Story Box and Toddle Tots run alongside each other every week of the year and are free to anyone, member or not. Activities change through the year, so the Facebook page carries what is on now. You can also phone the Centre on 01624 640650 to ask, or see what's on.
Do you work with schools?
Yes. Manx Family Centre runs a Schools Service alongside its Mobile Library, Home Delivery Service and family activities. Teachers and school staff on the Isle of Man can ask what is available for their setting by emailing info@manxfca.co.uk or phoning 01624 640650. The Centre serves every parish on the Island.
Who we are and where we came from
Are you a registered charity?
Yes. Manx Family Centre is the trading name of Manx Family Community Association Ltd, an Isle of Man registered charity, number 1153, and an Isle of Man registered company, number 128447C. It is based at Nobles Hall, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, IM1 1RL, and it serves every parish on the Island.
When was Manx Family Centre founded?
The organisation began in 2013 as the IBW Association, the International Black and White Association, promoting tolerance through arts, culture and sport. In August 2025 it took over the services at Nobles Hall in Douglas, with help from the Manx community and the Isle of Man Government, and now runs them as Manx Family Centre. The full story is on the about page.