The 2026 BRIT Challenge will start on
26th January 2026 & will finish on 26th December 2026
"Feedback from Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, SU Presidents, and key staff, is that there is growing agreement anationwide 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
"CDN is proud to support The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) and the BRIT Challenge, which inspires students and staff across Scotland to boost mental health and wellbeing. Over the past five years, colleges have got involved through inclusive activities, volunteering, fundraising, and Acts of Kindness — showing the huge impact colleges have in their communities.
2026 will be a momentous year in Scotland with the Commonwealth Games. To mark it, the BRIT Baton Relay initiative encourages colleges to unite and deliver 26 wellbeing activities, 26 Acts of Kindness, 2,600 volunteer hours, and raise £2,600 for local charities — a brilliant way to celebrate the difference colleges make across Scotland.”
Marie Hendry
Chief Executive
College Development Network (CDN)
“Engaging in the BRIT Challenge is a great way for colleges to support their students and help them gain all sorts of new skills. I would encourage every college to have a look and see how they can use the BRIT Challenge to enhance their student offer.
The BRIT Challenge is a UK-wide initiative and opportunity to come together, be part of a national collective effort to improve student and staff wellbeing, further support local, regional, and national charities, and the communities we live in through volunteering and civic duty. It is a great platform for colleges to deliver a powerful and positive message of collaboration, inclusion, engagement, and civic duty.”
David Hughes CBE
Chief Executive
Association of Colleges (AoC)
ABOUT BRIT
We are working together with Education Sector Agencies and Governing Bodies, and Universities, Colleges, and Students' Unions throughout the UK to improve Mental Health, Wellbeing, Inclusivity, Community Engagement and Charitable Giving, Civic Duty, and Collaboration.
We have been both honoured and humbled that BRIT has received such positive enthusiasm, engagement, and support, to champion our work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff throughout the UK, encourage fundraising for local, regional and national charities, and further civic duty and community engagement through Acts of Kindness and Volunteering.
BRIT EDUCATION SECTOR COLLABORATION
A MESSAGE FROM PHIL
Founder and Non-Paid Chief Executive of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT)
"BRIT has evolved considerably year on year and we remain determined to champion inclusivity, social cohesion, community spirit, and to support universities, colleges, specialist colleges, and Students’ Unions as community anchors.
Visits to Education Sector Agencies and Governing Bodies, and universities and colleges, have steered and guided our charity. We have continued to evolve in order to further assist, inspire, and encourage student and staff engagement to improve mental health and wellbeing, and champion civic duty and Acts of Kindness in the community where support and consideration are desperately needed.
Relationships with Senior Leadership Teams and Student Officers have also resulted in a greater understanding of the complex physical and mental health challenges faced by students and staff, throughout the UK, and the ability to be mindful of the ever-changing priorities and pressures faced by universities, colleges, and students and staff.
By championing the BRIT Challenge and sharing the initiative with their members, Education Sector Agencies and Governing Bodies are assisting to increase collaboration, improving wellbeing through the delivery of inclusive activities for students and staff of all abilities, and engaging more students and staff in local fundraising, volunteering, and civic duty.
This year, we have shared our BRIT Round Table initiative and are actively inviting representatives from Education Sector Agencies and Governing Bodies to join and collaborate with us in order to steer our charity to ensure we positively impact their members.
The BRIT Challenge framework is flexible for institutions to decide when to take part and how they will deliver on the 3 Pillars. I hope participation will also strengthen relationships with Specialist Colleges, champion the Disabled Student Commitment, and provide opportunities to invite in young adults from the community to take part in inclusive activities run by students, alongside staff.
We have seen some incredible successes where respecting and embracing the diversity, lifestyles, and beliefs, that exist within Great Britain have been at the centre of BRIT Challenge activities. The 3 BRIT Challenge Pillars offer every institution and Students’ Union to reap the benefits of their participation in a wide range of ways to optimise their own goals by providing synergy and providing evidence for wealth of internal and external targets."
AN INTRODUCTION TO BRIT'S FOUNDER
Phil Packer MBE (Mil.) HonDHSc Hon DUniv (BNU) FRSA
"Phil's journey of resilience and reinvention has inspired millions. After sustaining life-changing injuries while serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, he rebuilt his life by dedicating himself to supporting others – especially those who have experienced mental and physical trauma.
Over the past fifteen years, he has strived to make a difference to improving the lives of young adults, students, and staff, within the Education and Charity Sectors.
His work has had a lasting impact on students, staff, universities, colleges, communities and charities throughout the UK.
As founder and Non-Paid Chief Executive of the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) since 2010, Phil has led by example through volunteering, promoting fundraising, championing collaboration, and the importance of civic duty.
His commitment has been recognised through Ambassador and Patron appointments to numerous national charities, as the recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, the Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year Award, a number of university honorary Doctorates and Degrees, and Charity, Community, and Civic Awards".
Professor Mike Lauder
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Science and Engineering & Cross-Institutional Lead for Innovation and BRIT Challenge Coordination Group Member at the University of Chichester
"Phil’s determination, passion and understanding are the driving force behind BRIT and The BRIT Challenge – a UK-wide initiative that brings universities, colleges, specialist education providers, and Students' Unions together to champion wellbeing, inclusivity, volunteering, fundraising and Acts of Kindness. By fostering collaboration between institutions and building strong relationships with leaders and governing bodies, he has created a movement that strengthens civic duty and community spirit throughout the UK.
A collaborative approach has remained at the heart of how Phil operates. With BRIT, this has been through the building relationships with Education Agencies and Governing Bodies, Charities, Communities, and Universities and Colleges. Phil has conducted over 900 visits and engagements where he has had the privilege of being hosted and spending time with students and staff. This has increased both credibility and knowledge of how the charity can further assist and support. Phil has always tried to do this with courage and conviction in order to connect with people and communities.”
Adam Reynolds
Chair of the BRIT Board of Trustees
Coventry College
“The BRIT Challenge is a fantastic vehicle which acts as a catalyst to engage both students and staff in a new activity or encourages them to develop a new skill whilst bringing the whole college community together to support a common goal. Phil is an inspiration to all who meet him, and here at Coventry College, the BRIT Challenge has been a key part of our Health and Wellbeing Strategy, supporting both local and regional charities and developing independence, confidence and resilience in our students. I would encourage all Colleges to take part in this initiative in 2026”.
Carol Thomas
CEO and Principal
The University of Edinburgh
“The whole of the University of Edinburgh Community are united in our support for the BRIT Challenge. We are thrilled to be taking part again this to help and encourage our student, staff and wider community to stay active”.
Steven Guthrie
Head of Communications, Marketing and Membership, University of Edinburgh Sport & Exercise
Keele University
“Since its inception, Keele University has been pushing boundaries to create an impact locally, nationally and globally. It's so important that our students' time at Keele is spent feeling happy and healthy. Our Welfare Team are available for all students and we are constantly exploring innovative and positive ways to help improve and support student mental health and fitness.
Our students and staff were inspired by BRIT’s Challenge as it was inclusive, enabled students of all abilities to take part and we loved their vision of collaborating with other charities that support young adult mental health.”
Rachel Adams Bsc (Hons) FCIPD
Former Director of Human Resources
University of Leicester
“The BRIT vision resonates with the University of Leicester as we too are determined to support the mental health of students and staff throughout the UK with events and engagement.
At Leicester, we are Citizens of Change. By working in partnership with De Montfort University , we hope to engage as many students as possible in an inspirational and fun event to improve their mental health and fitness, all whilst raising funds for charity."
Professor Nishan Canagarajah
President and Vice Chancellor
Bridgend College / Coleg Penybont
"Student and staff health & wellbeing is a priority at Bridgend College. We promote Active Wellbeing as one of the core elements of looking after physical and mental health.
BRIT does an amazing job with the annual BRIT Challenge to unite young people across the UK and we are inspired by the vision of the organisation to grow and develop. We support BRIT due to the inclusive nature of the challenge; all students and staff can get involved. It is great to initiate conversations about the importance of physical activity on our health and talking about mental health within our College but also in the wider community."
Jon Nottingham
Former Active Wellbeing Lead / Arweinydd Lies Gweithredol
Edinburgh Napier Students' Association
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Edinburgh Napier for this year’s BRIT Challenge.
The BRIT Challenge is a national challenge and our sports clubs and societies are participating in it.
The whole idea behind our involvement with the BRIT Challenge it to really ensure that people can look after themselves, especially considering that mental wellbeing is a critical conversation ongoing around the world. We think it is very advisable for students to participate in outdoor activities, participate in physical activities and exercises to help your mind and thinking and your wellbeing.
We’d love for students to come along and be a part of this.”
Olumuyiwa Opaleye
Former ENSA President for Societies and Community
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
University of Cumbria
Student wellbeing is very important to us at the University of Cumbria and we were delighted to host visits from The BRIT Founder, Phil Packer, at both our Lancaster and Ambleside Campuses where he met many of our students and staff.
We will encourage all of our students to participate as a way of improving their mental health and fitness, having fun and raising vital funds for charity.”
Professor Julie Mennell DL
Vice-Chancellor
Bath Spa University
"Taking part in the BRIT Challenge was great fun and it was so motivating to know I was raising money for fantastic organisations that support young adult mental health. Exercise is a fantastic way to improve your wellbeing generally, so as well as the charities benefitting, I felt a great sense of achievement after completing my miles."
Georgia Stride
Student Communications Graduate Intern
HE & FE TESTIMONIALS
To ensure our charity has a positive impact on students and staff throughout the UK, and the ability to support every university, college, and specialist college, we have asked Education Sector Agencies and Governing Bodies for representatives to unite by joining our BRIT Round Table initiative and steer and guide our charity.
We are actively engaged with a large number of Education Agencies and Governing Bodies to take forward our BRIT Round Table initiative including Universities UK (UUK), Guild HE, Independent HE, the National Union of Students (through NUS Charity), the Association of Colleges (AoC), Colleges Scotland, the College Development Network (CDN), Colleges Wales, London Higher, Natspec, NAMSS, Good for ME Good For FE, the Disabled Student Commitment (DSC), the National Association of Disabled Practitioners (NADP), and the Sixth Form College Association (SFCA).
Aims of the BRIT Round Table include:
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Conducting meaningful discussion in order to identify how BRIT can further support their members.
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Ensure every university, college and Students’ Union, have the opportunity to participate in the annual BRIT Challenge and explore best practice in how they can use evidence from their successful activities to support internal and external strategies.
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Discuss how to further champion disability inclusion, including the Disabled Student Commitment, and how we can engage students and staff of all abilities.
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Encourage universities and colleges in each region to use their regional network to invite independent colleges and institutions who support students with disabilities and Special Education Needs to enter teams in the annual BRIT Challenge.
THE BRIT ROUND TABLE
A collaborative Education Sector initiative to steer our charity.
BRIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
We are sincerely grateful to our Board of Trustees for their leadership, governance, guidance and experience. Our intent is to continue to grow our Board of Trustees in areas including Student Engagement, Safeguarding, Public Health, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Neurodiversity, Fundraising and Communications. We are also keen to secure the support of an Honorary Treasurer. Our aspiration is that these roles are filled by volunteer university, college, and Students' Union leaders.
Adam Reynolds
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Adam began his career in the City in 1980 with stockbrokers Rowe and Rudd before joining John Siddall and Son in 1983 where he became a partner in 1984. In 1988 he sold his interest in John Siddall and Son to Branston & Gothard before joining a public relations firm. Adam’s extensive networks and knowledge of the City led to his appointment in 1997 as a Director of Basham and Coyle where he was tasked with developing the Investor Relations division. In 2000, he founded Hansard Communications and established and listed The Hansard Group, his own public relations and corporate finance firm, on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Adam has been instrumental in the rescue and acquisition of numerous companies and holds a number of Director and Non-Executive Director appointments; many of which are in the medical science industry.
He has been named as one of the fifty most influential people in the City by Growth Company Investor. Adam and his wife, Soozie, live in Oxfordshire, and the Isle of Wight, and enjoy time on the water, keeping fit and walking their dogs.
We are securing the support from a Vice-Chancellor and College Principal in the eight regions of England, and in Scotland and Wales, to champion the BRIT Challenge within their region/country and encourage university, college, and Student Union participation.
Furthermore, we are continuing to work closely with Natspec and their specialist education college members. We encourage institutions to invite learners from specialist colleges within their communities to take part in their inclusive wellbeing activities or engage with them as part of their Acts of Kindness projects.
We encourage every institution to showcase their engagement and successes to encourage other institutions to take part in the BRIT Challenge.
REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL AMBASSADORS
IN CONVERSATION WITH...
A film for Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, Senior Management Teams, and Students' Union Presidents and Vice-Presidents
How the BRIT Challenge can assist universities, colleges, and Students' Unions, to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing of students and staff with Professor Sir Steve West CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive Officer, University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol and Phil Packer, Founder and Non-Paid Chief Executive, The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT).
OUR VISION
To improve the mental health and wellbeing of young adults, students, and staff, by delivering the BRIT Challenge as an inspirational framework to encourage: the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities; promote civic duty and volunteering through Acts of Kindness in the Community; and fundraising to support local, regional, and national charities.
OUR MISSION
To enable and inspire a collaborative approach to wellbeing, inclusivity, and civic duty, within the education sector by uniting universities, colleges, Students’ Unions, and specialist colleges, through either local, county, or regional strategies in order to support students and staff at every HE, Tertiary, FE, and Specialist Institution in the UK.
“One of my roles as High Sheriff is to take an active part in supporting and promoting the voluntary sector and giving all possible encouragement to voluntary organisations within the county. The ethos of the charity is inspiring and an example of voluntary work at its best; with no paid staff, BRIT relies on volunteer support; their Board of Trustees, BRIT Regional Vice-Chancellor and College Principal Ambassadors, and all the students and staff who coordinate their BRIT Challenge activities at universities and colleges throughout the UK.
Having been asked by a number of Vice-Chancellors how he would engage counties and promote collaboration, Phil has produced a concept that I wholeheartedly support and that the University of Chichester are going to showcase. With universities and colleges dealing with so many competing priorities, and with ever-changing appointment holders in our communities and the Education and Charity Sectors, an annual event hosted by a university has the potential to centralise volunteer opportunities and projects that students and staff can participate in throughout the county each year.
The longer-term vision is for a university in every county to host a BRIT Challenge Community Launch Day and I would encourage Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriffs and Chairs of Boards of Governors to consider supporting
this initiative.”
Dr Tim Fooks BSc MBBS FRCGP DCH DRCOG
High Sheriff of West Sussex and Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Chichester
We are transforming our collaborative approach and believe there is scope to engage whole counties and are currently working with a number of Vice Chancellors who have agreed to showcase this BRIT County Initiative.
The concept is to invite Vice-Chancellors to host a BRIT Challenge Community Launch Day and invite key influential leaders and Students’ Union Presidents and Officers, to a high profile event to understand what BRIT is aspiring to achieve by promoting inclusivity, civic duty, volunteering and charitable giving. Charity Leaders will be asked to provide details of volunteering opportunities and Acts of Kindness Projects in the community for student engagement and experience.
Invitees will include Lord Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants, High Sheriffs. Members of Parliament, County and District Councillors, Mayors, other HE, FE, Specialist College, and School Leaders, Students’ Union Presidents and Vice-Presidents, local Charity Chief Executives, local inspirational figures, and BRIT Ambassadors.
COUNTY COLLABORATIVE APPROACH INITIATIVE