The 2026 BRIT Challenge will start on
26th January 2026 & will finish on 26th December 2026
Universities, colleges, and Students’ Unions across the UK are bringing people together through the BRIT Challenge to celebrate diversity, strengthen communities and enrich lives of students and staff.
BENEFITS OF BRIT
With so many competing priorities for Vice Chancellors, College Principals, and SU Sabbatical Officers, the BRIT Challenge must have an attractive proposition for Leadership Teams that:
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Complements existing MH strategies and support a whole university/college approach to wellbeing.
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Delivers an inclusive UK-wide opportunity for universities and colleges to deliver a wide range of wellbeing activities to engage students and staff of all abilities.
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Provides a platform to bring students and staff together to improve their MH; assist with destigmatising MH; and raise awareness of what matters to them (EDI, Disability Inclusion, LGBTQI+).
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Encourages Volunteering and Acts of Kindness that can provide evidence of social good, community support, and personal development (contributing to the health, wellbeing, and sustainability, of the wider community). We also hope this will support University and College Staff Volunteering Policies and Civic Duty.
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Champions the Disabled Student Commitment.
BENEFITS OF TAKING PART
WHY BRIT IS DETERMINED TO SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS' UNIONS
Key Findings From 900+ Visits Throughout The UK
Institutions are constantly dealing with reprioritising key issues with a wealth of external pressures. BRIT aspires to provide a framework that will help staff and students, and institutions and SUs.
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Many staff are at capacity and resources are limited.BRIT understands this and the BRIT Challenge has been designed for a whole-institution approach and gather evidence for multiple internal/external outcomes.
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Isolation, absenteeism, and lower academic outcomes are linked to poor mental wellbeing. The BRIT Challenge encourages the delivery of wellbeing activities to engage students.
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The consequences of mental health issues for students range from poor academic performance and dropping out of college/university to self-harm and suicide. The BRIT Challenge can be embraced and delivered at any time of the year to include specific themes, agendas, or activities, to raise awareness.
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Across both FE and HE, mental health challenges among young people, students, and staff, are widespread and increasing. The BRIT Challenge exists to support students and staff.
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Certain groups of students are more likely to experience mental health issues, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and international, disabled, mature, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+ students. BRIT encourages the delivery of a wide range inclusive wellbeing activities for all students and staff.
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As a charity with inclusivity at the heart of our vision and aims, we believe that embracing the 3 Pillars of the BRIT Challenge can provide:
Opportunities to engage disabled students and ensure the BRIT Challenge Wellbeing Activities are inclusive.
Ways for disabled students to improve self-confidence, self-esteem, and engage in acts of kindness in the community, charitable activity and volunteering.
When institutions and SUs embrace the BRIT Challenge we recommend they form a BRIT Challenge Steering Group. We believe this is a positive opportunity for disabled students to become actively engaged in the planning process, alongside SU Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, Department Heads, Student Services, Student Enrichment Officers, and Community Engagement Leads. Our commitment is to champion the DSC with the Education Agencies and Governing Bodies we work with, and to ask institutions to take on the BRIT Challenge and gather evidence that could be beneficial in demonstrating their commitment to their disabled students and staff.
THE DISABLED STUDENT COMMITMENT
“Feedback from Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, SU Presidents, and key staff, is that there is growing agreement a nationwide and regional collaborative initiative would unite institutions within their counties and regions to: assist in engaging students and staff of all abilities through inclusive wellbeing activities, further support communities and charities through Acts of Kindness projects, and increase volunteering and civic duty”.
Professor Sir Steve West CBE DL FRSM FRSA
Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive of the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)
Chair of the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Task Force and Board Member, Universities UK (UUK)
Member of the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) Round Table and BRIT Regional Ambassador for the West of England
By embracing a whole-university or whole-college approach to the BRIT Challenge, institutions create opportunities for both students and staff to benefit. Across the country, many have shown how the Challenge can celebrate diversity, respect different cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs, and strengthen the sense of belonging within their communities.
Through the three BRIT Challenge Pillars, every institution and Students’ Union can shape the Challenge to reflect their own priorities. Participation helps them achieve meaningful outcomes, build stronger connections, and demonstrate impact against a wide range of internal and external goals.
A NATIONWIDE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Universities, colleges, and Students’ Unions play a vital role as anchors in their communities, bringing people together and fostering inclusivity, community spirit, and social connection.
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Civic Duty, Community Engagement and Volunteering
The BRIT Challenge enables universities to measure the impact of the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities (student and staff participation) and promoting and measuring Volunteering, Fundraising (for local, regional, and national charities, alongside BRIT), and Acts of Kindness (contributing to the health, wellbeing, and sustainability, of the wider community).
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Optimise Evidence For External Desired Outcomes
Provide evidence and encourage activities to support national initiatives such as the Disabled Student Commitment that HE Providers are being encouraged to embrace.
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Reduce Pressure on Staff and Students in Key Roles
The 3 Pillars of the BRIT Challenge provide a framework to include other existing wellbeing, fundraising, and community initiatives (University MH Day and RAG) and can assist SU Welfare and Activities Officers, alongside University Wellbeing Leads.
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University Mental Health Charter Framework
The BRIT Challenge can assist universities with evidence to support The Charter’s themes that are mapped against the 4 domains and enabling themes of the UUK Mentally Healthy Universities model. Information Sharing within the Support Domain (BRIT Regional Steering Groups), Staff Wellbeing within the Work Domain, Proactive Interventions and a mentally health environment within the Live Domain, and Student voice and participation, Cohesiveness of support across the provider, and Inclusivity and intersectional mental health within the Enabling Themes Domain.
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Incorporate Themes That Are Internal Priorities or Concerns
The BRIT Challenge enables the opportunity to support strategies and raise awareness of issues that matter to every institution and SU. For example; EDI; LGBTQI+; Anti-Racism; Disability Inclusion; Staff MH; and Suicide Prevention. Institutions may also decide to incorporate other important key events such as LGBT History Month, Black History Month, Disability History Month, or Mental Health Awareness Week.
HOW THE BRIT CHALLENGE CAN SUPPORT
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
“BRIT continues to seek advice from subject matter experts and leaders to ensure the charity remains relevant and presents the strongest case possible for the need to support young adult mental health. I fully support their vision to partner with education, sport and charity partners and deliver an annual UK-wide event to improve young adult mental health and fitness.
I am enthused by BRIT’s UK-wide approach of engaging every university and college to ensure students (and staff) have the opportunity to participate in their inclusive annual BRIT Challenge. Groups who were already marginalised or disadvantaged are now likely to become more so and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to create significant lifestyle challenges in education, activity and socialising that will contribute to the mental health challenges faced by young adults. I urge Vice-Chancellors and Principals to embrace this campaign and event that complements their existing student support and will both raise vital funds and improve young adult mental health and fitness.”
Professor Peter Fonagy CBE FMedSci FAcSS FBA PhD
Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London
Director, UCLPartners Mental Health and Behaviour Change Programme
Former Chief Executive, Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families
Former National Clinical Advisor on Children’s Mental Health, NHS England
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Civic Duty, Community Engagement and Volunteering
The BRIT Challenge enables colleges to measure the impact of the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities (student and staff participation) and promoting and measuring Volunteering, Fundraising (for local, regional, and national charities, alongside BRIT), and Acts of Kindness (contributing to the health, wellbeing, and sustainability, of the wider community).
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Optimise Evidence For External Desired Outcomes
Provide evidence and encourage activities to support national initiatives such as the Disabled Student Commitment that FE Providers are being encouraged to embrace.
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OFSTED / ESTYN / How Good Is Our College
Providing evidence for Ofsted (Personal Development) in England, Education Scotland’s How good is our college? Quality Framework,and Estyn in Wales.
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Association of Colleges (AoC), Colleges Wales, and CDN
Complementing the AoC and Colleges Wales MH strategies and campaigns (including the AoC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter, Student Engagement Charter, and Love Our Colleges campaign) and complementing the Colleges Scotland and College Development Network (CDN) MH strategies (including the CDN’s #LoveScotlandsColleges campaign). We hope that evidence of their member’s engagement in the BRIT Challenge can assist colleges as Community Anchors and support college funding strategies (for securing roles such as Active Wellbeing Officers, Enrichment Officers and MH Provision) and displaying the positive impact of colleges within their communities.
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Incorporate Themes That Are Internal Priorities or Concerns
The BRIT Challenge enables the opportunity to support strategies and raise awareness of issues that matter to every institution and Students’ Union/Association. For example; EDI; LGBTQI+; Anti-Racism; Disability Inclusion; Staff MH; and Suicide Prevention. Institutions may also decide to incorporate other important key events such as LGBT History Month, Black History Month, Disability History Month, or Mental Health Awareness Week.
HOW THE BRIT CHALLENGE CAN SUPPORT
FURTHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
INCLUSIVITY AND SPECIALIST COLLEGES
Inclusivity is at the heart of our charity's ethos and remains a core value of the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT). We encourage the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities to enable students and staff of all abilities to be able to participate in every BRIT Challenge activity that is delivered by Students' Unions, universities, colleges, specialist colleges, academies, and schools.
Boccia is just one example of an inclusive wellbeing activity that has been delivered by many universities as part of their BRIT Challenge engagement through the coordination of a Boccia Tournament. We would be delighted if Students' Unions and Institutions would research and reach out to their local Specialist College and give consideration to inviting their learners and staff on to campus to join in with an activity/sport like Boccia. This would kick start their BRIT Challenge Acts of Kindness activities and undoubtedly strengthen community relationships, encourage students to learn about disability sports, and assist with student and staff volunteering. We are aware that this has provided engagement opportunities for students who are studying for degrees and qualifications in teaching, specialist education needs, sport, and social care.
BRIT has a special relationship with Natspec - The Voice of Specialist Further Education. Natspec is the membership association for organisations which offer specialist provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. To find out where your nearest Natspec College is, please click on the Natspec Logo below.
Archie Eaton, Boccia Coach, participating in the University of Worcester's BRIT Challenge Boccia Tournament
Edinburgh Napier University
“What a great opportunity for us, Edinburgh Napier, to show our support for the BRIT Challenge. BRIT Challenge works with young people, looking after their mental health and wellbeing and when you are leading an organisation, it is so crucial for our staff and for our students to feel healthy, to feel positive, to have good mental health because that’s the way we do our best work.
“We’ve got 19 teams who are taking part in the BRIT Challenge and it’s a great opportunity for us to go out and walk, cycle, swim – whatever it is the exercise that you do. We’ve got a tremendously ambitious target of achieving 23,000 miles, collectively, over eight weeks so I’ll be out their every evening because I normally am walking and hoping that colleagues across the University and all our students are out there doing the same.”
Professor Andrea Nolan CBE FRSE MRCVS
Former Principal of Edinburgh Napier University
University of St Andrews
“We are proud to partner with an organisation which espouses increased awareness of young adult mental health, a cause which has this year proven itself to be more important than ever before.”
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE FRSE
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
“We are thrilled to be taking part this year in BRIT Challenge. As a Students’ Association that represents students across Scotland, we know that it’s important to work with organisations that want to improve mental health and fitness in Students and Young People.
Given the unique geographical context of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association, our students face a challenge with regards to isolation, lack of resources, and the sense of belonging. By taking part in BRIT Challenge, we hope to bring the issues affecting our students’ wellbeing to light while also engaging our students in activities that help to decrease stress and loneliness.
Our BRIT Challenge asks students to complete activities and share those moments with us and others through social media. We are taking a holistic approach to wellbeing by offering activities for the body, the mind, and the community. Activities include going on a nature walk, joining our student officers for a litter pick-up, helping a neighbour, and many more to suit our varied student body. HISA encourages students and staff to take a moment to focus on their wellbeing and share how these activities improve their mental health.
By sharing the aims of BRIT Challenge, we hope to open up a wider conversation about student mental health, community support, and the issues affecting a very diverse and unique student population.
The shared purpose of the BRIT Challenge helps our students connect to a larger community. That’s why we’re taking part today”.
Dr Emma Rose Miller
Director of Community and Communications
Chichester College Group
“The Chichester College Group have supported the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) for many years and our students and staff have been involved in supporting, coordinating and hosting BRIT events.
Our Chichester College Group is comprised of five colleges, each having their own Student Union. The BRIT Challenge provides the flexibility for our students and staff to decide if we enter one team for our whole group or each college and student union enters a team. We want to provide the opportunity for everyone to take part. However we decide to embrace the challenge, this innovative BRIT Challenge has the potential to improve the mental health and fitness of all our students and staff.
We will do all we can through social media to encourage universities and colleges in the South East Region to join us and take on the BRIT Challenge."
Chichester College Group
Former Chief Executive Officer
The Sheffield College
"Being involved in the BRIT Challenge this year has been a great opportunity for both staff and students to get involved virtually in an activity that promotes the benefits that physical activity and being in nature can have on mental health and well-being.
Being part of this inclusive project, helped to create a feeling of community within a challenging year. We are looking forward to participating again in the future."
The Sheffield College
Assistant Principal Student Experience
City of Wolverhampton College
“City of Wolverhampton College was thrilled to take part in the BRIT Challenge this year. Students really embraced this challenge and had a lot of fun. It has been fantastic to see them all get enthusiastic about health and fitness and understand the importance of it.”
City of Wolverhampton College
Student Project Officer
Warwickshire College Group
“At WCG we recognise the importance of good mental health and the challenges that many of our students and staff face in dealing with mental health issues.
So we are delighted to be able to support the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) in their plans to create a regional steering group of universities and colleges, to widen the discussion and raise awareness of the these matters, and to explore ways in which we can engage our students and staff in the BRIT Challenge.
We will be encouraging staff and students right across our six colleges to get behind the BRIT Challenge by participating in it and raising funds for the worthy charities that BRIT supports. At the same time we hope that all those who participate will benefit from their Challenge through improved fitness, wellbeing and mental health.”
Warwickshire College Group
Director of Student Services
The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy
“The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy are embracing the BRIT Challenge to support the mental health, fitness and wellbeing, of our students and staff.
We are focusing on ‘Acts of Kindness’, including a collection for local food banks (with a target of 24 items per group of students, and 240 from the staff body), inviting local colleges to see what we do here at Fortune College, taking our ponies to visit local care homes to brighten the day of residents, local volunteering and community acts of kindness such as litter picking and also a fundraising ‘travel challenge’ focusing on fitness, positive communication and emotional wellbeing.
We will also be working on self-care skills such as recognising what makes us happy and calm, using exercise (such as horse riding) to improve mental health and physical fitness, saying something kind, and using transferable skills to identify how we can care for the health and wellbeing of our horses along with ourselves. We have many more ideas and plans in motion which we are excited to share with you.”
Kayleigh Taylor
