The 2026 BRIT Challenge will start on
26th January 2026 & will finish on 26th December 2026
BRIT is a collaborative charity dedicated to improving wellbeing, inspiring volunteering and fundraising, tackling mental health stigma, and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through the annual BRIT Challenge, we invite universities, colleges, specialist colleges, and Students’ Unions to unite in supporting student and staff mental health while raising funds for BRIT and charities of their choice. With the support of Paralympians, Olympians, and adventurers in our BRIT Ambassador family, we aim to inspire participation and drive lasting positive change.
WELCOME TO BRIT
The Disabled Student Commitment
"I am thrilled that BRIT is committed to championing the Disabled Student Commitment with the Education providers and Governing Bodies they work with. Asking Vice-Chancellors and College Principals to pledge their support to embracing the BRIT Challenge and encouraging the gathering of evidence from their activities could be beneficial in demonstrating their commitment to their disabled students and staff.”
Professor Deborah Johnston PFHEA MBE
Acting Co Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO at London South Bank University, Chair of the Disabled Student Commitment’s constituent groups (Advisory Group, Partnership Group and Student Advisory Panel), and the Government’s Universities Disability and Access Ambassador.
Universities UK
“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
Association of Colleges
“Embracing the BRIT Challenge promoted inclusivity, collaboration, and was fulfilling for our diverse student and staff population. Inviting Phil to deliver a keynote speech on our Staff Development Day inspired us to explore how we can build on our BRIT Challenge experience and encourage other institutions in the Midlands to join us. I hope College Principals throughout the UK will pledge to take part in 2026 – the positive impact on our students and staff, and communities, would be incredible”.
Pat Carvalho
Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Metropolitan (BMet) College and President of the Association of Colleges (AoC)
Canterbury Christ Church University
“As a University community we are committed to supporting our students' and staff wellbeing, as well as promoting good mental health. The last year has shown us that now, more than ever, we need to be together in supporting everyone within our community.
The BRIT Challenge was successful last year in bringing us together, creating awareness of mental health and the support that is available, and we hoped that this year will be no different. All our students and staff were encouraged to take up the BRIT Challenge, where possible, and unite behind this deserving cause.
The impact that the annual BRIT Challenges have had on our University community have been extraordinary. Last year, over 1000 students, staff and alumni took part; this year, over 600 students, staff and alumni took part and the challenge undoubtedly improved and supported the mental health and fitness of our students and staff.
I am delighted that our University are continuing a special relationship with BRIT and exploring many different ways for our students and staff to be part of the charity’s vision and aims."
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
BENEFITS OF TAKING PART
DELIVERING THE BRIT CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT YOUNG ADULTS, STUDENTS AND STAFF
Why we exist, our mission & vision, how we continue to evolve, and a message from our founder.
About the Challenge with tips and ideas from universities, colleges, and Students' Unions, who have taken part.
A stage-by-stage guide for BRIT Challenge Coordinators, and university, college, and Students' Union participants.
Why your support will increase our impact on engaging young adults, students, staff, and institutions, and enable us to to further collaborate to support charities and communities.
THE 3 PILLARS OF THE BRIT CHALLENGE
Inclusive
Wellbeing Activities
We encourage Students’ Unions and Institutions to deliver inclusive wellbeing activities throughout their BRIT Challenge, with a theme of "26", to engage students and staff of all abilities to improve health, fitness and wellbeing, promote inclusivity and have fun!
1
Acts of Kindness in the Community
Alongside wellbeing activities, we are encouraging the delivery of Acts of Kindness in the community and hope this will increase student and staff volunteering, strengthen relationships and showcase the civic duty and civic profile of Students’ Unions and Institutions throughout 2026.
2
Fundraising for charities alongside BRIT
Through the BRIT Challenge, we are encouraging fundraising for local, regional, and national charities, alongside BRIT. We hope you will aim high and set inspiring fundraising goals in 2026.
3
By taking part in the BRIT Challenge, institutions can celebrate best practice, empower students and staff to collaborate across departments and campuses for a whole university/college approach, and lead a national movement that places wellbeing, inclusion, and community at its centre. Together, institutions and Students' Unions are not only enriching campus life but also shaping stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities across the UK.
The goal of the BRIT Challenge is to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of young adults, students, and staff, by delivering an inspirational framework that:
Encourages the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities.
Promotes civic duty and volunteering through Acts of Kindness in the Community.
Supports fundraising for local, regional, and national charities.
THE BRIT CHALLENGE
“It has been my pleasure to support BRIT for many years as they have strived to support young adult mental health throughout the UK, raise vital funds and deliver inclusive opportunities for young adults to improve their mental health and fitness. Supporting young adult mental health has never been so important and I applaud BRIT for delivering the annual BRIT Challenge and their visionary approach to collaborate with education and sport governing bodies and organisations.
This Call to Action goes out to all current and former Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and Sports Personalities; I urge athletes from every sport to join the BRIT Ambassador family. By uniting, we can ensure that every UK university, college and specialist college has a champion to inspire as many of their students and staff as possible to take part in the BRIT Challenge, destigmatise mental health and promote inclusivity.”
Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL
BRIT AMBASSADORS
To take BRIT forward, we are determined that university and college staff and students are integral to our future success and are inviting leaders to fulfil volunteer positions within the charity: on our BRIT Board of Trustees, BRIT Round Table, BRIT Regional Steering Groups, and as BRIT Regional Ambassadors. The support from Vice-Chancellors, College Principals, and Students' Union Presidents and Officers, has been incredible. In 2026, I hope they will pledge their support and encourage a whole institution approach to involve their community, local charities, and county.
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“With a deep understanding of mental health challenges in my own life, and through the work of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, I know that there are vast number of young adults and students who are living with mental health challenges.
I applaud BRIT for their collaborative approach; their work to unite the Education, Sport and Charity sectors is inspiring. I have known BRIT’s Founder, Phil, for many years now and his vision to support young adult mental health resonates with me both personally and professionally.
It has been a pleasure to support BRIT over the past 10 years, as they have strived to help improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK. I am delighted that the annual BRIT Challenge has been designed to be inclusive so that students and staff of all abilities can take part in many different ways.”
Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil)
“It has been a pleasure to support Phil, the Founder of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), for many years. BRIT is a visionary charity and the wealth of partnerships and special relationships they have forged with charities, education and sport governing bodies and universities and colleges is extraordinary
BRIT are also uniting our nation’s inspirational figures to support young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK. I know Phil needs Olympians, Paralympians, elite athletes from all sports, adventures and explorers, to step forward and join the BRIT Ambassador family.
BRIT Ambassadors promote the annual BRIT Challenge at universities and college of their choice, share their lived experience, encourage student participation, help to destigmatising mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion. The more that volunteer, the more impact we will have on improving young adult mental health and fitness. I stand by Phil and urge others to join the BRIT Ambassador family.
I hope every Vice Chancellor and College Principal embraces the BRIT Challenge and encourages student and staff participation. I wish every university and college team taking part in the annual BRIT Challenge the very best of luck with their distance and fundraising targets”.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes BT OBE
Explorer, Author, Fundraiser and Speaker