Young people struggling to find employment showed off their business ideas last night at an event designed to get them into work.

Social enterprise Raise Your Game hosted the event at The Mill in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, after working with five people in their 20s who cannot get started in their chosen career due to the financial climate.

Director of the organisation, Nicky Torode, spent three months with the young people, developing ideas from gay and lesbian greeting cards to a for-hire PA sound system service.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted with how it’s gone. I’m so impressed with their dedication – they’ve achieved so much in a short time.

“Even though it’s nearing the end of the project it’s only the start for their business ideas.”

The entrepreneurs have worked on market stalls promoting their ideas with the organisation and now hope to begin raising awareness and hope potential clients as well as the community come to see their wares on display at The Mill until April 27.

Clothes designer Shemeka Cassell, 22, of Nelson Road in Chingford, said she hopes to build a base for her handmade clothing company, Insomnia.

She said: “I got the idea for the name because I can’t get to sleep for hours. But it’s helped because that’s when I design a lot of the clothes that I make.

“I want to expand and this is the first step. Raise Your Game has helped teach me more about the business side of things. I’m more confident about that now.”

Matt Reynolds, of Lea Bridge Road in Leyton, said he does not need much money for his bright idea, a tour of north and east London, highlighting the famous people who have lived in the area.

He hopes to get insurance coverage for Alleycat Tours and wants to start in Leytonstone, where film director Alfred Hitchcock grew up.

The 22-year-old said: “I want to show people the place he grew up and how his upbringing influenced his later work.

“I’ve learned so much from the organisation. I have the necessary skills to be a guide but knew nothing of budgeting and expansion.

“I’ve learned a lot of useful things which have left me feeling surer about how to go about things.”

For further information please call The Mill on 020 8521 3211.