Finding a way to keep motivated throughout the pandemic has been a struggle for most people.
The lack of sports since March 2020 has meant that LJMU students have missed out on both the physical and social benefits of joining a society.
First year students haven’t had the opportunity to meet a wide range of people like they normally would. All social activities were moved online and no sport fixtures have taken place.
The Student Union have waived entry fees into societies this academic year to encourage more people to join.
On top of this, there is a competition between societies to gain the most members, with a financial reward at the end of the year.
George Davies, secretary of the LJMU Swim Team, said: “The Student Union are encouraging people to sign up. Originally it would be about £60 to sign up to the swim team, but this year they’ve made it free.
“They’re also encouraging as many people to sign up as possible and whoever has the most sign-ups they’re rewarding financially.”
The Student Union have also been providing support and guidance for societies.
“They have supplied us with ideas for socials, one of the ideas was to run quizzes within the swim team.”
“This brings everyone back together keeping us all in touch”
The LJMU Rounders society started a competition to see who could walk, run, or cycle the furthest, but as a team they aimed to accumulate 1000km.
Vice President of the society, Gemma Davis, emphasised how the challenge positively impacted her mental health.
She said: “It didn’t matter where you were everyone could take part. Sefton Park is so close to my house it was perfect for me to walk around.
“Even though we couldn’t do it together, it was something we could achieve altogether.”
In a time when good news is hard to come by, LJMU has helped provide togetherness as best it can.
