In May our son Ben went to Greek island Lesvos to volunteer in a refugee camp. Fundraising among family and friends enabled him to stay until Christmas heading up humanitarian work. We visited to see the conditions and work there.

We had felt challenged to make this trip. It seemed impossible as we help lead Workington's Christ Central church, Nick is a driving instructor and Judy works at the Lake District Wildlife Park but with support from those affected by our absence, we set off. Here is Judy’s journal from the trip.

Day 1

Soon into our second flight Lesvos is visible and we see the strip of sea across which so many have made the hazardous journey. We arrive. Camp worker Elton meets us. We head to where we're staying and arrange to meet him tomorrow for orientation. We wonder what the week will bring.

Day 2

We learn what to expect and what conduct is expected of us. The camp is a military-run detention centre and an ex-army base. We are not permitted to take photos of or on the site.

Day 3

Ben shows us around. We visit Yogi, who looks after an arrival camp where people go after landing at the beaches. Within hours we hear that 140 more people have landed.

We visit the lifejacket dump - remains of thousands of used lifejackets, boats and inflatables, most clearly not fit for purpose.

Then our first camp shift. We're on the info team and set out to find a couple who have arrived from the Congo, the woman six weeks pregnant. This is our only information.

We find them and take them, a mattress, sleeping bags and blankets to a two-man tent on a hard floor in a family area. Compared to other areas this is a good place to be.

We serve sweetened tea at 8pm. Hundreds come. Then we cobble together three tents from mismatched poles and torn parts. A man wants to be deported. He's fallen out with his friends and feels depressed. We get to bed at 1am and need to be up at 7am.

Day 4

We crowd into a container/store room for our briefing. I choose to work in the family compound. We reach a high chain link fence and relieve the person who has been on the locked gate all night.

Only refugees showing ID can enter the compound. There is a semi permanent building divided into 10 rooms. Each room is divided by sheets and blankets, a different family living in each.

Children play on the concrete outside, making toys from rubbish.

At breakfast we wheel an urn of warm milk - one plastic cup full for each child and pregnant woman, plus a large pitta bread and a piece of fruit per person. Children try to get extra or climb on for a ride. Then the trolley and leftovers are locked away. Lunch is similar but also feta cheese and orange drinks for children.

Back at the gate smoe children wander down with a crisps. This is a treat and they want to share with me. I'm touched. These people are always awaiting the next food delivery.

We finish at 4.30pm and walk back through the camp. I spot Ben laughing with five men, speaking Arabic. I didn't teach him that! I'm proud of him and humbled.

Day 5

Today's first job is to portion out a sack of washing powder. One cupful is the weekly ration for three people.

Next job, clear boxes of donated clothing for storage. Currently people only get one set of clothes plus extras to wear while washing dries.

Then we are given a geographical area of the camp to hand out the powder and razors. Each area is covered weekly. Refugees must be around their tents at the set time or they miss it.

If they ask for clothing we have to assess if they really need it. We have to be strict - there's not enough for them to have two pairs of shoes when some people have none. Then we sort the clothing orders.

After lunch people bring their clothing tickets to the information tent and we rummage through hundreds of bags to find their orders.

By 4pm the clothing orders are fulfilled and our shift has ended

I walk outside to find Nick leading a team of men clearing a piece of ground. He wants to stay on a bit longer until the job is done. They are having to fit three two-man tents into a space meant for two because the camp is at bursting point and still the refugees keep coming.

Day 6

Ben takes the briefing this morning. I'm surprised at how at home he seems here.

Again I work in the clothing team - the same routines and procedures as yesterday. Today Nick is also on the team.

He and his partner are dishing out washing powder and razors and taking clothing orders when they come to a small tent where a man was cutting tomatoes and cucumber bought from the nearby town. The family urge them to join them to share their meal, delighted to be able to share their food and provide hospitality - a stark contrast with the picture we are often given of money-grabbing economic migrants.

There's a heavy police presence today as there is an undercurrent of unrest.

Day 7

There's a thick frost. People light fires inside tents to keep warm.

We do the clothing round. An older man gives me tea when he sees my fingers are too cold to hold my pen. Men ask for coats. We have no medium coats and don't know when any will come.

It's chicken dinner day. Each week there is fried chicken and pasta. People are excited. There are roars from the crowd if people try to queue jump. Riot police are deployed to keep order.

We end our final shift. We walk through the camp to our waiting minibus. "Hey Papa," calls a man who has been aggressive, abusive and demanding. In reality he is hurt, confused and disillusioned. Patience and kindness with firmness have won him over. He has calmed.

Day 8

Ben takes us to the airport. Our camp time is up. We are sad to leave but privileged we had the chance to help. I realise how little I value my freedom. To fly to England is a dream for thousands. I am going home. I have a home.