Make Create Grow
A youth enterprise and creativity initiative for ages 8-16
Small ideas, big futures.
Make Create Grow is being shaped to help young people showcase and sell products they have designed and made in a safe, supportive, market-style environment.
What it is
A friendly first step into making, selling and sharing.
Inspired by a young jewellery maker and the lack of opportunities for children to sell their creations, Make Create Grow is exploring local events where young makers can test ideas, meet customers and feel proud of what they have made.
The initiative is imagined for community and church halls, with careful adult support, clear safeguarding expectations and a warm market-day atmosphere that keeps the experience age-appropriate.
For curious young makers
Could this be something your child would enjoy?
Make Create Grow is for young people who love making, creating, designing, solving problems or trying small business ideas in a supportive local setting.
- Create their own products
- Learn new skills
- Build confidence
- Experience selling at a real market
- Meet other young makers and creators
How it could work
From kitchen table idea to market stall moment.
Make
Young people create jewellery, crafts, art, bakes, woodwork or other handmade products.
Prepare
They think about presentation, labels, stock, customer questions and what makes their idea special.
Sell
They bring their products to a supportive local market-style event and meet real customers.
Share
Participants are invited to donate a small portion of earnings to local charities.
Grow
They leave with confidence, feedback, practical skills and a brighter sense of what is possible.
What could be on a stall?
Every idea is welcome.
What young people gain
Creative confidence with real-world roots.
Goals and values
Turning young ideas into confidence, skills and community impact.
Our goals
Make Create Grow aims to provide opportunities for young people to transform their ideas into products and experiences that build confidence and develop enterprise skills.
The initiative encourages creativity, supports personal development and helps young people understand the value of hard work, innovation and social responsibility.
It also seeks to create a positive community impact by bringing together young people, families, local businesses and community organisations through markets and events.
Creativity
Encouraging young people to explore their imagination, generate ideas and express themselves through making and creating.
Enterprise
Helping young people develop business awareness, problem solving skills and an understanding of how products and services can be marketed and sold.
Confidence
Providing opportunities for young people to learn new skills, showcase their work and develop greater self-belief.
Community
Creating a supportive environment where people work together, support local causes and contribute positively to their community.
Future possibilities
Workshops and support could grow around the markets.
As the community develops, Make Create Grow could add informal workshops and activity sessions that help young makers build practical skills before market day.
For families and communities
Designed to be safe, local and encouraging.
For young makers
A chance to turn creative hobbies into a small stall, learn from the process and celebrate their own effort.
For parents and carers
A structured, supportive environment where children can practise independence with adults nearby.
For venues and partners
A positive community event model for halls, churches, schools, charities and local organisations.
Community connections
Built to work with trusted local spaces.
Schools, churches, youth groups, community centres and local organisations could help families discover the initiative through newsletters, noticeboards, social media and word of mouth.
Local supporters could also help with venues, volunteers, guest sessions, mentoring and practical encouragement, making the project feel rooted in the community from the start.
Coming soon
The idea is being shaped now.
Make Create Grow is currently in its early development stage. The next step is to gather interest from families, young makers, venues and community partners before the first local event is planned.