Art collections created by young people who have experienced the care system will be brought together for a final exhibition next week.

The ’Handmade Superheroes - The Untold Story’ project is currently being displayed at Ronaldsway Airport, the Sea Terminal, the Villa Marina, Henry Bloom Noble Library, the National Sports Centre and Noble’s Hospital.

The displays were organised by the Isle of Man Voices in Participation (VIP) group, a Children in Care Council made up of young people aged between seven and 25. VIP aims to monitor and improve the care system, plus offer policy makers a young person’s view when decisions about care provision are made.

Debbie Brayshaw, director of children and families division in the Department of Health and Social Care, said: ’The theme of the project "Handmade Superheroes" aims to reduce the stigma attached to care.

’The concept was shared with us during a visit to the island by poet, broadcaster and care leaver Lemn Sissay, in 2018. He said children and young people in care are like superheroes such as Harry Potter who was fostered, Superman who was adopted and Cinderella who was an orphan - all children without a family who used extraordinary skills to manage extraordinary situations.’

The youngsters’ work, which received a helping hand from local artists, musicians and members of the Arts Council, will be brought together at the Manx Museum on February 28 for a month.