Executive secretary's papers for the Cambridge University Social Services Organisation

This body acted as an umbrella organisation for a variety of student groups involved in community work in and around Cambridge. Predominantly these groups were formed to assist a particular existing institution such as hospitals, schools for mentally and physically disabled children, groups for disabled adults, youth schemes in disadvantaged areas or groups teaching English as a second language. The organisation consisted of an executive of unknown size, a representative of each college and a leader of each group. The voluntary work of the groups was promoted as having two advantages: to improve the university's relationships with the local community and to provide practical experience for those considering a future career in social work. The organisation changed its name circa 1977 to Student Community Action. Further information about this successor body's activities is on its website http://www.cambridgesca.org.uk/.

The file contains lists of group leaders, outlines of group activities, newsletters, handouts for the Societies Fair, correspondence with organisations and institutions assisted, and a single page of meeting minutes for 1974.

This item was transferred to the University Archives from the Manuscripts Department on 9 October 2007. It had been presented by Student Community Action, formerly Cambridge University Social Services Organisation to the Manuscripts Department on April 1977 and had been given the classmark Ms.Add.8129

Please cite as Cambridge University Archives, Executive secretary's papers for the Cambridge University Social Services Organisation, SOC.61.1

Further printed records are in the Rare Books Department, Cambridge University Library (classmark: Cambridge Papers J 7971).

The online catalogue entry for Janus was completed in October 2007.