Disadvantaged youngsters were given a much-needed break from home this summer, thanks to a group of University of Cambridge students.

Around 150 eight to 13-year-olds enjoyed week-long activity trips to north Wales in July and August. The trips were organised by the volunteer members of 'Campus', a University of Cambridge student society.

The children had all been referred to Campus by Liverpool Social Services because it was their only chance of a break from home. Many of the youngsters come from very large families that cannot afford holidays; others are referred for more complex reasons, such as abuse, neglect or ill-health in the family.

The youngsters spent the week enjoying day trips and taking part in activities ranging from mountain biking to ice-skating, kayaking, trampolining and cooking. Family circumstances mean that many participants have a lot of responsibilities in the home; Campus offers them a rare chance to have fun and behave like kids. On top of that, the week also aims to boost participants' self-confidence.

"When the kids come at the start of the week, they're quite often really nervous and need a lot of encouragement," says Campus chair Carolyn Gauntlett, who has worked for the society throughout her three years at Cambridge. "By the end of the week, they're smiling and laughing and they've had the time of their lives. They've had the chance to be kids. Every kid has the right to a happy childhood. That one week at Campus can change their lives for ever."

That's not an idle boast.

"We have a lot of former participants who say that Campus made a big difference to their lives," says Carolyn. "They say that it encouraged them to go to university, for instance."

Many former participants have now been trained to work as helpers on the residential breaks and other Campus projects, such as the summer day scheme, HippoCampus, in Liverpool city centre for six to 10-year-olds (or up to the age of 13 for children with special educational needs).

The Campus projects are funded by money raised by its volunteer members and by private donations. This year, Campus ran five, week-long residential breaks between July 25 and August 28. The HippoCampus day scheme took place between the same dates. Campus also runs a winter day scheme in Liverpool in the Christmas holidays.

For more information, or to make a donation to Campus, email Ros Banks on reb47@cam.ac.uk.

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