Twice yearly the British Society for Dermatological Surgery (BSDS) sets an essay title on a topic relating to dermatological surgery and offers a prize for the winning essay. For this summer, we have updated the essay submissions to up to 5-minute long video submissions. The title for the video presentation is:

“What will dermatological surgery look like in 2050?”

The BSDS Medical Student Video Presentation Prize is open to any individual or team of up to 5 students who has medical student status at the time of application, or who graduates in 2019.

Closing date for applications is 1^st March 2019. The prize for the winning video will be a place on the BSDS Stitch-Up course in September. For further details on how to apply please click here.

Are you feeling stressed, anxious or low about your studies? As a medical/veterinary/dental student you may be eligible for a free place on an 8/9 week course of mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The next MBCT course will be held on Campus at Canynge Hall (near Clifton Down Station), Mondays 5.15-7.15pm, for 9 weeks: January 28th-March 25th. Your attendance on the course is confidential. You must be able to attend all 9 sessions and will need to complete 3 health questionnaires before beginning to make sure it is the right time for you to be part of the course. Places are limited to 12 students. For enquiries about joining the next course please email the MBCT teacher Dr Alice Malpass: a.malpass@bristol.ac.uk . For more information see: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/mindfulness/

Happy Holidays!
Did you know between 1 November and 15 January there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world’s major religions. And probably even more across the world. So, we hope you enjoy your celebrations and wish you Peace Joy & Hope for 2019.

In this newsletter:
• Staff Changes
• Faculty Student Advice Service
• Breaking news: new 45p mileage rate
• Student Achievements
• FoM Conference
• INSPIRE Conference
• Friday Night Feast with Jamie Oliver
• Dates for your diary
• Season’s Greetings

The LIFE Foundation work in the Oltenia region in Romania with children and adults living in government care. The people they work with all have some form of developmental delay, physical disability and/or learning disability and many display institutionalised behaviours due to spending many years in state care. In the summer they recruit volunteers to provide additional support for the children, adults and carers ­ by running small activities and games, doing sensory activities, using Intensive Interaction and generally providing some much needed love and attention to the adults and children! 

They are looking for volunteers who can spare 2 weeks of their summer vacation for a challenging, exciting and rewarding experience. 

Volunteers benefit from the projects in a number of ways. They are given the opportunity to experience different cultures, meet people from very different backgrounds and gain valuable work experience in educational and social care environments. The project is unique, challenging and extremely rewarding, and is a fantastic learning experience. They have volunteers who return year on year as they enjoy the trips so much and form real bonds with the children and adults they work with, as well as with local volunteers and staff.

To read more and apply to volunteer please visit www.thelifefoundation.co.uk 

Galenicals Carol Concert Saturday 8^th December

A large audience, practically filling St Paul’s Church in Clifton, assembled on Saturday to hear an exquisite concert of carols, festive music and a few non-festive pieces (if you are a Grinch). Under the choir’s conductor (Aaron Grice), we were treated to a programme that was varied and included several pieces for audience participation which was greatly enjoyed. There were choir pieces, some orchestral pieces, several solos including a rendition of “The Christmas Song” which was technically challenging (I suspect) but wonderful to listen to. Alice Watt took the first solo spot and treated us to a spirited free flowing rendition of “Sleigh Ride” during which I felt I was holding the reins of the sleigh. The orchestra played the unseasonal but very enjoyable “Overture” from “The Mikado” and firm favourites like Chilcott’s “In the Bleak Midwinter” and Aaron’s arrangement of “O Holy Night” rounded it all off. The sopranos floated effortlessly up to the rafters with their descants in “O come all ye Faithful” and” Hark the Herald”. It was a very enjoyable 90 minutes and a fairly respectable collection was taken for Médecins Sans Frontières.

If you missed it, they will perform again before Easter.