Project 100 announced yesterday that it will partner with the Sandys Parish Council to provide Bermuda with its first home that will cater to mentally ill patients over the age of 55.

The home, which will house six to eight mentally challenged people, will be on the site of the former Sandys Rest Home. Project 100 assisted Hope Homes, another home for mentally challenged adults, until it was closed in 2003.

?Approximately two years ago, with the closure of the Hope Homes facility and the transfer of the 13 residents from the Hope Homes to the care of the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute, the Hon. Minister Patrice Minors had the vision of introducing Project 100 to the Trustees of the Sandys Parish Council,? Project 100 chairwoman Judy Panchaud White said.

Project 100 was established 20 years ago to assist with the financial needs of the mentally challenged population in Bermuda. The charity has pledged to pour approximately $1 million into the redevelopment of the former Sandys Parish Rest Home.

The rest home was closed in 2003 by the Ministry of Health when it was deemed that the building was in such disrepair that major renovations would be needed. A ministerial statement at the time said the West Side Road building would need to be rewired and fitted with new windows. The building would also need to be brought up to fire code requirements and made fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Mrs. Panchaud White said the charity was made aware that the Sandys council did not have the necessary funds to restore the building. ?We are extremely pleased that the partnership is now being solidified with the signing of this agreement which will provide Project 100 with a longer term lease of at least 25 years in recognition of our commitment to raise the necessary funding for the complete renovation of the Sandys Parish Rest Home in order to help meet the housing needs of the ageing mentally challenged.?

She added that one of the major objectives of the new facility would be respite care. Currently there are approximately 50 mentally challenged adults living with their family members. The Sandys facility would enable family members to take a ?break from providing ongoing care?, she said.

At the moment if family members wish to go on a trip their only option is to organise care for their family member with the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute.

?When the home is completed, these persons can be housed temporarily in Sandys, in a homey and friendly environment similar to what they may be accustomed to,? Mrs. Panchaud White said.

Minister of Health Patrice Minors heralded the agreement as a ?significant achievement? involving her Ministry and the two groups. She added that though there were other homes for mentally challenged on the Island this one was important because it will be the first dedicated solely to the ageing population.

Sandys Council member Robert Steynorsaid they were happy with the partnership and added that they were impressed when they visited other homes that have been helped by Project 100. Patrice Dill, executive director of the MAWI said the new facility met the organisation?s vision to provide a ?continuum of care?.

Preference will be given elderly people with mental challenges who live in Sandys.