The 2026 BRIT Challenge started on
26th January 2026 & will finish on 31st December 2026
RESEARCH
A video capturing some of the many activities delivered for
The University of Surrey's BRIT Challenge supported by
Naomi Riches MBE DL
Paralympic Gold Medallist and BRIT Ambassador
​
​We are delighted that the University of Surrey embraced the BRIT Challenge this year and are sincerely grateful to Ella Wilson who co-ordinated their BRIT Challenge. Ella is a second-year student at Bournemouth University and is pursuing a degree in Sports Coaching. Ella has been on a long placement at the University of Surrey as the Sports Participation Officer. ​​
​​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​​​
​
“The University of Surrey is proud to support the BRIT Challenge, bringing our students and staff together to champion mental health and well-being through physical activity. This event embodies our commitment to inclusivity, community, and the power of movement to make a difference. It has been another amazing year for the BRIT Challenge at the University of Surrey, and we look forward to many more!”
Ella Wilson
Sport Participation Coordinator
Surrey Sports Park
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
We are sincerely grateful to Charlie Mascal, Participation & Competition Sport Manager at Surrey Sports Park, and the team at Surrey Sport for their support to embrace the BRIT Challenge over the past four years and to Professor Max Lu AO DL FREng FAA FTSE FMCAS, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey.
.jpg)
An example of Leadership Support to embrace the BRIT Challenge
​
​We have received over 550 Students' Union, university, college, specialist college, academy, and school, registrations to participate in our BRIT Challenges.
BRIT Challenge Coordinators are often Students' Union Officers, Directors of Sport, Directors of Health and Wellbeing, or staff responsible for Wellbeing/Health/Student Engagement/Enrichment.
The most successful BRIT Challenge engagement is through a whole university/college approach and when Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, and Student Union Presidents, lend their support to an internal BRIT Challenge Steering Group/Task Force (involving key staff and students) and by embracing the BRIT Challenge within the curriculum or student experience strategies, and to provide evidence for the University Mental Health Charter/AoC Mental Health Charter/AoC Student Engagement Charter/Disabled Student Commitment.
​
We encourage every Vice-Chancellor and College Principal to take part so that staff participate alongside their students.
​
​
​
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) have embraced the BRIT Challenge every year for the past five years under the leadership of Paul Carney, Director of Sport and Active Health.
​
Paul also very kindly volunteered to support BRIT as Co-Chair of the BRIT South East Regional Steering Group and assisted with engaging key staff at universities throughout the South East and encouraging them to embrace the BRIT Challenge by sharing how CCCU took part.
​
Below is a 2023 video from CCCU that shows the impact of the BRIT Challenge on the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing, of students and staff.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
We are sincerely grateful to Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University, and all the staff and students for their enthusiasm to embrace the BRIT Challenge over the past five years.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University, with Phil, Founder and Non-Paid Chief Executive of The British Inspiration Trust.​​​​
How BIMM University and Students' Association took on the
BRIT Challenge - a showcase for GuildHE members and universities, colleges, and Students' Unions, throughout the UK​
​
Our thanks to all the students and staff at BIMM University's campuses in Berlin, Birmingham, Brighton, Dublin, Essex, London, and Manchester, for embracing the BRIT Challenge.
We are sincerely grateful to M. Ra'ees Hamir, Alumni, BA (Hons) Filmmaking, Screen and Film School Birmingham, for editing this video and to the artists, Milkfiz and Nat, at the BIMM University Bristol Campus for supplying the music.
An example of how the BRIT Challenge can support student and staff mental health, fitness and wellbeing, champion inclusivity, and support internal and external strategies
​​
"BIMM University proudly took part in the BRIT Challenge 2024 to not only promote physical and mental well-being among our students and staff, but also to celebrate our BIMM community through teamwork and activity.
We are fully aware of the number of students coming forward for mental health support which has been increasing at a significant rate, and we know that our staff have been doing everything they can to help. So, in response to this we set out on our BIMM BRIT challenge to do something positive, and fun, to help bring our campuses together and give support for each other. By engaging in this initiative, we wanted to raise awareness about the importance of staying active and supporting mental health, and also generate activities where we could come together to harness the power of the BIMM community whilst celebrating our diversity by showcasing people, teams and talents.
The BRIT challenge successfully helped us to raise the profile of POSITIVE WELLBEING and enabled community building, kindness and inclusivity. Through doing this we have showcased a CULTURE OF CARE that is firmly embedded across the organisation, and helped to us to join up other cross university initiatives that we are working on such as our Wellbeing strategy, University Mental Health Charter and Disabled Student Commitment.
BIMM is 100% dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where all students feel they belong and are able to participate fully in university life, regardless of their individual needs, and thereby enable them to fully enjoy their experience and achieve their goals. Additionally, by participating in the BRIT Challenge it has given us the opportunity to collaborate with other institutions and jointly contribute to a national initiative that encourages inclusive participation in physical activities, and ultimately helps to enhance the overall student experience.
We at BIMM University firmly believe that our strength comes from within – and by taking part in the BRIT Challenge we have connected our community, our university values, and the spirit of our BIMM Allstars, united and together as one!!"
​
Mark Lewis
Head of Student Wellbeing
BIMM University
​
​
​
​
​
​
An example of how Birmingham Newman University are embracing the BRIT Challenge and encouraging universities and colleges in the West Midlands to take part
​​
"Birmingham Newman University have embraced the BRIT Challenge for a number of years now and, as there is flexibility to take part at any time during 2025, this year we are completing half of our activities before the summer and half afterward once the new students have arrived. By doing so, we hope to engage as many students and staff as possible in inclusive wellbeing and fitness activities and fundraising.
Recently, representatives from many universities and colleges in the West Midlands came together for a BRIT Regional Gathering. It was very beneficial to listen to how other institutions are planning on taking part and it would be great if we can work together and all embrace the 3 Pillars of the BRIT Challenge to create something magnificent between us all across the West Midlands.”
​
James Westwood
Sport and Fitness Facilities
Birmingham Newman University
​
​
​
​
​
​
“The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT)’s annual BRIT Challenge is a great opportunity for every college in the UK to participate in an inclusive wellbeing initiative that provides the flexibility to decide on; when (between the days of the BRIT Challenge) they take part; what wellbeing initiatives can be delivered to support students and staff; a specific area of mental health they would like to destigmatise (LGBTQI+, Anti-Racism, Disability Inclusion, Body Image); what Volunteering/Acts of Kindness in the Community projects they would like to complete; and which local, regional or national charity, they would like to raise funds for, alongside BRIT.
The BRIT Challenge has evolved by listening to students and staff to ensure that it; further supports and improves student and staff wellbeing; complements other mental health initiatives; can support ongoing curriculum activities; and provides evidence to support colleges to share the positive impact they have within their communities.
Good For Me Good For FE is delighted to have forged a partnership with BRIT and we very much hope all our College Partners will embrace the BRIT Challenge and use our Good For ME Good For FE toolkit to measure impact of their participation. We have pledged our support to BRIT for the next five years with the aim of growing the BRIT Challenge and encouraging every college in the UK to take part; together we could have an extraordinary impact on our communities, students and staff.”
Liz Lake
Development Director
London & South East Education Group (LSEC) and Good For ME Good For FE lead with BRIT
​
210%*
In 2017, there had been a 210% increase in the number of students leaving university due to mental health problems over the past 5 years.
​
*Higher Education Statistics Agency.
85%*
85% of colleges reported an increase in students with disclosed mental health issues in the past 3 years.
​
*Association of Colleges (AoC) Survey December
2016.
87%*
87% of first year students (almost nine in 10) find it difficult to cope with social or academic aspects of university life.
​
*University Partnerships Programme (UPP) annual Student Experience survey 2017.
76%*
There was a 76% increase in the number of university Students seeking mental health support in the 5 years between 2012 and 2017.
​
*The British Psychological Society - Mental Health and Wellbeing in Scotland's higher and further education sector.
"The need to support young adults facing trauma and adversity, both physical and mental, is critical; particularly with the impact of COVID-19 compounding existing mental health difficulties.
BRIT has an inspiring vision and I applaud their collaborative strategy to partner with sport and education partners. Through the BRIT Challenge, there is clear potential to engage hundreds of thousands of students and significantly improve young adult mental health and fitness.
At a time when restrictions are affecting many team and sport activities, the BRIT Challenge is an inspirational feelgood fundraising opportunity for young adults to take part safely, on campus or at home, by following guidance from their university or college and of course, COVID-19 Government guidelines.
I hope, wherever possible, the BRIT Challenge can be encouraged, embraced and enjoyed!"
Dame Katherine Grainger DBE