Easter 🐣 Teenage Market in Earlestown
On Saturday 22nd March, Earlestown came alive with the creative energy of young people at our Easter Teenage Market. The event brought together young traders from across St Helens, including students from Carmel College, Ascent College, Willow Tree Park School, giving them a platform to showcase their skills, connect with the community, and take the first steps as entrepreneurs.
Young Traders: confidence, creativity and enterprise ✨
In partnership with St Helens Council, and made possible thanks to UKSPF funding, we were able to bring The Teenage Market back to Earlestown in St Helens following the really successful event delivered in Christmas 2024.
The buzz around the market was clear, with young traders filling up the high street with their creative wares. Collectively, they earned over £1,500, with an average of around £120 per trader, a fantastic achievement after a hard day’s work.
Beyond the sales, the event helped participants build confidence, learn business skills, and experience the thrill of taking their ideas to a real audience. Amongst the traders were representatives from Ascent College and Bright Futures, who deliver specialist care and education to young people and adults with autism, learning disabilities and associated complex needs. These opportunities are at the heart of Place for Youth’s mission: giving young people the space, support and trust to lead, create, and shine.
Performance and connection 🎶
The Teenage Market also opened doors for aspiring young performers.
Yanick Maseko, a student at Ascent Autism Specialist College, thrilled the audience with an engaging performance, sharing the joy of music with the crowd:
“I felt really excited and proud to perform on stage in front of so many people at The Teenage Market. I enjoy making people feel happy.”
Other performances included Pool Era, a fast-rising young band from Greater Manchester, and a memorable set from 13-year-old Alfie Andrew, whose covers of Adele and Lady Gaga captivated a group of youngsters who stopped mid-bike ride to watch. Alfie, a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent, reminded everyone of the power of music to connect with young people.
Community and partnership 🙌
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of St Helens Council and dedicated individuals including Mark Bingley, Glenn Taggart, Gary Maddock, Kathryn Sanger, Laura Greenwood, Sean Traynor and Mary Jefferson, who all helped us bring Earlestown to life with the creativity of young people.
By supporting young traders and performers, Place for Youth continues to build confidence, develop skills, and foster connections that last far beyond the event.
Youth-led impact in action 🌈
Through events like the Easter Teenage Market, young people:
Develop confidence and communication skills
Test creative and business ideas in a safe, supportive environment
Earn their own money and learn entrepreneurial skills
Connect with peers, customers and their communities
Gain real-world experience in performing and public engagement
With every Teenage Market, Place for Youth demonstrates the power of youth-led creativity and enterprise, helping young people take their first steps toward achieving their ambitions.