Andi’s Story

🌍 Starting again

When Andi moved to the UK from South Africa in 2022, she was unsure of what to expect. Engaging with The Teenage Market helped provide her with the confidence needed to pursue her passion for crochet and develop a strong sense of belonging and purpose in her new home.

Andi Littlejohn’s story is one of resilience, creativity and discovery. Born and raised in South Africa, her early years were shaped by economic instability and high levels of crime. “Growing up, we lived behind high walls topped with spikes and electric fences. It was a constant state of fear,” she shared.

During lockdown, she found comfort and purpose in knitting blankets for homeless people, using creativity as a way to channel anxiety into helping others. Soon afterwards, Andi and her family made the difficult decision to leave South Africa and move to the UK in search of a safer, more stable life.

“It wasn’t just about opportunity — it was about survival,” she explained. Adjusting to a new culture, environment and currency was challenging, but her creative spark helped ease the transition.

Shortly after arriving in the UK, Andi crocheted her first small animal — a tiny chicken for her sister. That simple act set off a chain reaction of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, as friends and classmates soon began requesting custom-made pieces of their own.

🧶 Finding a platform

By 2024, Andi’s passion for crochet had grown, but the idea of joining traditional markets still felt daunting. “The fees and the professional setups were intimidating. I wasn’t sure I belonged,” she admitted.

Everything changed when her mother spotted a Facebook post about The Teenage Market. For Andi, it felt like exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for — somewhere accessible, welcoming and designed to help young people take that first leap.

Her first Teenage Market event in Bootle in June 2024 was a revelation. “I nearly sold out on my first day and I felt so validated seeing people appreciated my work,” she said. The event was so successful that she decided to extend her attendance and trade across two days.

Since then, Andi has taken part in several markets, each bringing new opportunities for growth. At one event she made the equivalent of her full month’s retail job salary in just one day.

As well as the financial boost, The Teenage Market has helped her learn practical skills around product placement, customer engagement and handling money confidently in a different currency.

✨ Growing in confidence

Andi’s involvement in The Teenage Market has also helped her overcome deep-seated social anxieties. “Before, I found social interaction intimidating. Now, I can start conversations with anyone — whether it’s customers or fellow traders. The market environment is so welcoming that it feels natural to connect.”

One of the most transformative aspects of the experience has been the sense of belonging it has created. “Coming from a place where community often felt out of reach, the market has become my safe space. It’s not just about selling — it’s about meeting amazing people, sharing stories, and growing together.”

She has formed meaningful connections not only with other traders, but with their families too. “At the Earlestown Market, I was able to reconnect with a market neighbour from Rochdale, and now my dad is best friends with her dad!” she laughed.