In addition to academics , our Charity Secretaries Claudia and Sheryl have been busy coming up with fun ideas and alternative ways of raising money for our chosen charities in these strange and uncertain times . On the back of the success of the LMSS Charity Bake Off over summer , the girls planned an LMSS Charity Pumpkin Carving competition throughout October in true Halloween style . Raising £ 81 for our charities Claire House Hospice and Wirral Mind it was undoubtedly a success and may even become a regular LMSS event !

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE COLLABORATION & DIVERSITY TEAM This year the LMSS pledged to its students to actively promote inclusivity and diversity within our events , our social media , and our committee itself . To do this , we created our brand new LMSS Diversity team comprising of Pooja ( Welfare & Diversity Representative ), Esme ( Women ’ s Representative ), Zainab ( BME Representative ) and Katie ( LGBTQ + Representative ). They have been busy creating social media information campaigns , working in conjunction with the School of Medicine on their Inclusivity & Diversity Student Charter , and organising lectures – explicitly collaborating with the LGBTQ + Society on the “ Approaching an Intersex Patient ”. We are excited to continue this collaboration and try to provide valuable teaching on LGBTQ + issues that are often missed out of formal teaching sessions and lectures . The work that has been ongoing with the School of Medicine has been a perfect example of how valuable student-led change and growth is within educational institutions and just how important the forum of student societies are here at Liverpool Medical School .

LMSS CHRISTMAS TASKMASTER Looking towards the end of term we have a thrilling event coming up … the LMSS Christmas Taskmaster ! Set to be a hilarious evening filled with ridiculous tasks it will be the first BLS ( Big LMSS Social ) evening of the year , and as is the fashion of 2020 it will be virtual and socially distanced . We have three contestants that are raring to go and give it their all no matter how ludicrous the tasks are that they ’ re faced with . Make sure you tune in for guaranteed laughs and hope to brighten up these dark lockdown days !

CONCLUSION I know I don ’ t need to tell you all that this term has been a term like no other ; its been challenging to say the least . We have had to cancel so many of our unique events . We haven ’ t been able to meet the Freshers and show them what the LMSS is all about . We haven ’ t even been able to socialise with our friends in different houses and other year groups , we had such huge plans for this year and not being able to implement some of those plans is heart-breaking .

The restrictions and lockdowns , whether national or local , are problematic and can exacerbate or trigger several issues , whether that be physical or mental health . In response to this , the LMSS has set up a Coffee & Chat fund that can be used by anyone that is feeling down or just wants to talk to someone about anything that might be on their mind . If you get in contact with Pooja our Welfare & Diversity Representative ( welfare @ lmssonline . co . uk ) then the fund can be used to buy coffees / cakes for anyone that is struggling and wants to talk things over with a peer . We still have lots of exciting events planned for next term and Boris willing we are very determined to have a whole medical school celebration whenever that is deemed possible .