Fostering First is hosting three drop-in sessions for anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer. It’s part of an awareness and recruitment campaign being run in tandem with Foster Care Fortnight in the UK from May 14 to 27. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer is welcome to attend the sessions where they can talk to Fostering First staff who will answer questions and give advice on the challenges and rewards which becoming a foster carer can offer.

The drop-in sessions are at the following times and locations:

• Thursday May 17, 3pm to 7pm at The Children’s Centre, 96 Woodbourne Road, Douglas.

• Tuesday May 22, 3pm to 7pm at Laxey Working Men’s Institute, New Road, Laxey.

• Thursday May 24, 3pm to 7pm at Ballasalla Medical Centre, Main Road, Ballasalla.

Currently, 52 children in care in the Isle of Man are being looked after by foster families - but there are more children needing foster homes which is why Fostering First is launching a campaign to recruit carers. So, what does it take to be a foster carer? “We just show them what it’s like to be a family,” is how Eileen Malone sums up the support she and her husband Tommy have provided as foster carers over the past 17 years. It’s a simple, straight-forward definition of what it means to be a foster carer - but far too modest to convey the tremendous impact their care and support has had upon all the children they have given a home to over the years.

Eileen and Tommy’s dedication as foster carers was recognised last year when they won a Manx Radio Carers’ Award in October. It was a well-deserved honour, but the best indication of how much their love and support is appreciated by children in their care is the fact that many of them keep in touch with Eileen and Tommy years into adulthood. Eileen says it would be wrong to suggest to would-be foster carers that it was all sweetness and light - but the emotional rewards of seeing children in their care grow up to have happy and fulfilling lives makes it all worthwhile.

Foster carers must be over 21 but there is no upper age limit. Carers can be married, divorced or single, or co-habiting. It does not matter whether they have their own children or not, or whether or not they own their own home.

All foster carers receive training, help, and support from Fostering First as well as financial remuneration to cover the expenses of caring for a child. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer email fosteringfirst@thechildrenscentre.org.im or call 631947. Inquiries about becoming a foster carer can also be made by visiting Fostering First’s offices at 17 Village Walk, Onchan. More information can be found at http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/what-we-do/fostering-first/.

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