Experts say that the island has a shortage of foster carers.

Now an appeal has been launched to find 20 new foster families ahead of the Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight.

The annual event attempts to raise the profile of fostering and show how fostering can change young people’s - and their carers’ - lives.

Vicky Edwards, a current foster carer, said: ’Some of the children are very challenging and you need to go into it with your eyes open, knowing things won’t always be rosy.

’But fostering is very rewarding and it is the little things that matter and make it worthwhile, there is something special about teaching a child their colours and numbers or how to ride a bike.’

This years event began this week and runs until Sunday, May 27, these include.

Today (Thursday, May 17), at Tesco from 10am to 4pm, May 18 at Victoria Road Shoprite between 11am to 3pm, Monday, May 21, at Noa Bakehouse, Fort Street, Douglas, from 11am to 2pm, on both May 22 and 23, at Tesco between 10am to 4pm, May 24 at Tynwald Mills 11am to 3pm and finally at the Strand on Friday, May 25, from 11am to 3pm.

Rowena Gough, family placement services support worker, said: ’Being a foster carer is a big decision, but Foster Care Fortnight provides an ideal opportunity for anyone who has been thinking about fostering to find out more.

’The children and young people foster carers look after have often experienced very difficult starts to their lives, so prospective foster carers need a range of skills and personal qualities, including patience, the ability to listen, being a team player, a sense of humour and much more besides.

’The role is a challenging one, but also extremely rewarding. Anyone thinking seriously about becoming a foster carer will have lots of questions. That’s great, because we know it’s important to discuss all of the issues and concerns that potential carers may have.’

Any who cannot attend the events, but would like to know more about fostering in the island, the family placement services can be contacted on 610000 or on fps.co.im.