Liverpool work and travel provider will offer funding and support for students who might not otherwise have the means to travel – giving them the opportunity to work in summer camps overseas

Liverpool-based work and travel specialist Smaller Earth has launched a new foundation – and its first partner is the University of Liverpool.

The Smaller Earth Foundation will provide funding and support for students who might not otherwise have the means to travel, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the experience of working in summer camps overseas.

Eight students from the University of Liverpool will go on summer camp programmes in 2018, four to America and four to China, with Smaller Earth and the university sharing the cost of the placements.

The students, who were selected through interview, will each spend eight weeks abroad working as camp counsellors or activity specialists in either the US or Qingdao or Inner Mongolia.

UK Smaller Earth director Mark Hodgson said: “We know from almost 20 years of working with young people what a rewarding and often life-changing experience travelling and working abroad can be.

“I’m absolutely delighted we have been able to create the new Smaller Earth Foundation to give even more students the chance to expand their horizons, and we look forward to working with supportive partners like the University of Liverpool, who I know share our ethos.”

Richard Finch from the University of Liverpool added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for some of our young people, and there has been a lot of enthusiasm from students for the project.”

There are plans to create further partnerships with universities across the UK to give even more students the chance of free summer placements.

Smaller Earth was founded in a bedroom in Liverpool in 1999, and now has a global operation with 15 offices worldwide and a staff of 150. A third of those work from the company’s headquarters at the Albert Dock.