Children have been learning how to become entrepreneurs at an Oxford youth club.

A group of 11- to 13-year-olds have honed their business skills in the Make Your Mark with a Tenner scheme at The Barn Youth Project in Nightingale Avenue, Greater Leys.

The national scheme has seen 10 of the young people lent £10 in order to start their own businesses.

The children recruited friends to help them and have devised business ideas including running a car washing scheme, selling cakes, running a tuck shop, putting on penalty shoot out competitions, and making jewellery.

Kieran Watson, committee member for the Barn Youth Project, said: “This is an opportunity for the young people to explore entrepreneurial experiences.

“At first they couldn’t believe that someone was going to give them cash and trust them with it. It has inspired them.

“They have had some great ideas which they have been able to do in the community.”

The children have been meeting at the youth club on Monday nights to discuss how to organise, publicise and structure their businesses.

One group has already begun selling cakes, while a footballing initiative team has secured a trophy for forthcoming competitions.

Activities have included designing publicity flyers, and listening to a talk from a representative of Make Your Mark – a company supported by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, Dragons’ Den businessman Peter Jones, and former owners of the bebo.com networking site.

Once the businesses are up and running, the children will return the initial £10 stake to Make Your Mark before continuing their businesses with the funds they have raised.

Mr Watson said some children had pledged to share part or all of their profits with the Barn Youth Project.

He said: “I love their creativity.

“There has been lots of enthusiasm, and I am hoping that motivation will continue.

“One other positive outcome is that young people have realised how difficult it is to set up businesses.”

Activities have also included a mask-making session for a Comic Relief fundraising event at the club on Monday, March 30.

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk