The 2025 BRIT Challenge started on
25th January 2025 & will finish on 25th December 2025
BRIT is a collaborative charity and at the heart of all we do is our vision to;
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Improve and support student and staff wellbeing.
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Inspire volunteering and fundraising.
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Destigmatise mental health.
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Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion.
UK universities, colleges, specialist colleges and Students' Unions are invited to unite with us and hold their own inclusive BRIT Challenge to improve mental health and fitness, all whilst raising funds for BRIT, and in 2025, the opportunity to choose another charity to support alongside BRIT or a charity of their choice. This collectively powerful approach is integral to our work to support young adult, student, and staff, mental health in the short, medium and long-term.
To enable us to deliver inspiration and encouragement to young adults and students who take part in their university or college BRIT Challenge, we are thrilled that Paralympians, Olympians, sports personalities, adventures and explorers are joining our BRIT Ambassador family to encourage participation, destigmatise mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) exists to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing, of young adults, students, and staff, throughout the UK.
BRIT aspires be an integral part of sustained change within the Education Sector, and we will continue to act as both an enabler and offer the BRIT Challenge as a catalyst to improve mental health, fitness, and wellbeing.
For the past five years, the BRIT Challenge has taken place within a two-month window from January to March. This year, we are encouraging every Students' Union, University, College, Specialist College, Multi Academy Trust, and Academy, to choose when they take part and decide the duration of their BRIT Challenge, during 2025.
With our BRIT Regional Steering Groups in Scotland, Wales, and the 8 regions of England, we are hoping to encourage Students' Unions, universities, colleges, specialist colleges, and academies, in each region to unite and participate at the same time of year to have the most positive impact on their communities.
We understand that the Education Sector is under immense pressure and this is having an impact on both students and staff. By giving flexibility, of choosing BRIT Challenge dates and duration, we hope this will give longer planning time to assist BRIT Challenge coordinators.
By choosing when to take part, we hope that Students' Unions and Institutions can use the BRIT Challenge as an opportunity to deliver 25 wellbeing activities, encourage 25 Acts of Kindness in the community, and raise funds (with a "25" themed target) for local, regional, and national, charities.
Having conducted over 900 visits throughout the UK, we have ensured the BRIT Challenge continues to evolve in order to help and support students and staff. We also hope that the BRIT Challenge is an opportunity to increase student and staff volunteering, increase the civic profile of Institutions and Students' Unions, and enable institutions to add value to their communities.
With so many competing priorities, we hope the BRIT Challenge will enable students and staff to embrace key dates and events during 2025 including LGBT History Month (February), Student Volunteering Week (10th to 16th February), University Mental Health Day (14th March), Disabled Access Day (16th March), Stress Awareness Month (April), Mental Health Awareness Week (13th to 19th May), Volunteers Week (1st to 7th June), Loneliness Awareness Week (10th to 16th June), and Disability History Month (14th November to 20th December).
2025 UPDATE
A message from our Founder
"The BRIT ethos is to be a collaborative charity and we are determined to drive change to;
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Improve the wellbeing of students and staff of all abilities.
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Champion inclusion.
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Complement existing University, College, Specialist College, and SU, Health and Wellbeing Strategies.
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Inspire volunteering and fundraising throughout the UK and assist with social good.
The BRIT Challenge has continued to evolve by listening to, and engaging with, students and staff throughout the UK. By providing flexibility we are enabling every institution and SU to decide;
When they take part during 2025 (and for how long their BRIT Challenge will take place).
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What inclusive wellbeing activities they will offer to engage students and staff of all abilities.
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Who (local, regional, and national charities) they raise funds for, alongside BRIT.
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How they can connect with, and contribute to the health, wellbeing, and sustainability, of the wider community through Volunteering and Acts of Kindness in the community.
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; has the ability to assist with their Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategies; is an opportunity to measure impact (on both social good and improving student and staff wellbeing and personal development) that can be useful evidence both internally and externally to showcase civic duty and civic profile.
Year on Year we have seen an increase in participation; over 550 universities and colleges have embraced the BRIT Challenge. We have adopted a collectively powerful approach to supporting young adult, student, and staff, mental health by forging special relationships and partnerships with charities and national governing bodies in the education and sport sectors.
After conducting over 900 visits to Students' Unions and Institutions throughout the UK, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of students and staff to discuss wellbeing, inclusivity, disability inclusion, suicide prevention, loneliness, health, fundraising, and community engagement. Having seen, first-hand, the incredible initiatives, and enthusiasm, of students and staff taking part in our BRIT Challenges, we hope leadership teams in Students' Unions, universities, and colleges, will see that the BRIT Challenge can provide a wide range of benefits including an increase in student and staff participating in volunteering, community engagement, and wellbeing activities to support their mental health.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported BRIT and enabled us to grow as a charity and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of young adults, students, and staff, throughout the UK."
Phil Packer
Founder and Non-Paid CEO
The British Inspiration Trust
The next BRIT Challenge will take place from the 25th January 2025 and through to 25th December 2025.
The BRIT Challenge is an inclusive feel-good fundraiser to improve mental health and fitness, all whilst raising vital funds for local, regional and national charities, alongside BRIT.
Every UK university, college, specialist college and Students' Union are invited to register to take part, enter teams, and support student and staff participation, both on campus or at home.
The theme of 25 for the BRIT Challenge in 2025
BRIT will share the many innovative ways that institutions are participating in order to inspire other universities and colleges to embrace the BRIT Challenge. For example, in 2024, many institutions completed 24 Acts of Kindness in Community alongside both fundraising activity and engaging students and staff in a wide range of 24 inclusive wellbeing activities that were delivered over 24 days (many universities took part between the 1st and 24th March 2024 to embrace University Mental Health Day).
In 2025, many universities, colleges, and their Students' Unions/Associations, are intending to deliver their BRIT Challenge activities by splitting them into three separate areas;
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25 Inclusive Wellbeing Activities (split across the institution with, for example, Sport and Active Wellbeing delivering 5 activities, the Students' Union delivering 5 activities, Student Services/Wellbeing delivering 5 activities, and other departments/faculties/campuses delivering the remaining 10 activities.
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25 Acts of Kindness in the Community (Leadership Teams and Students' Unions are asking departments and course representatives to come up with 25 Acts of Kindness in the community and promoting the opportunity to volunteer and participate with their students and staff.
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Setting a fundraising target to raise funds for BRIT and a local, regional, or national, charity (Perhaps £2500 for smaller institutions and £25,000 for larger institutions). Many are asking Leadership Teams to host business leaders or approach contractors on campus, local businesses, and local employers, to match fund or support them by donating around the theme of 25 (£250 or £2500).
THE BRIT CHALLENGE
Delivering a UK-wide annual inclusive feelgood fundraiser
We would, of course, be delighted if universities and colleges raise funds for BRIT as this will enable us to continue to deliver the annual BRIT Challenge and have an even greater impact on supporting and improving young adult, student and staff mental health and wellbeing.
As a collaborative charity, we are also inviting every university and college team taking part in the BRIT Challenge to consider choose second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities.
There are very few Fundraising Platforms in the UK that allow donations to be split equally between two charities. We are sincerely grateful to GiveStar who are delivering this fundraising capability so that universities and colleges can choose one of twelve charities, that we work closely with, to raise funds for, alongside BRIT.
These were our 12 charity partners in 2023 that universities and colleges were encouraged to support as they took on their BRIT Challenge;
"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
OUR AIMS
By inviting every UK university and college to encourage their students and staff to participate, we aim to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing, of young adults, students, and staff;
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Uniting the Higher Education, Colleges in Scotland, Further Education, and Specialist College, Sectors through a UK-wide inclusive annual BRIT Challenge
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Delivering inspiration through our BRIT Ambassador Family
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Offering the BRIT Challenge as a UK-wide inclusive feel-good fundraiser and inviting teams to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities.
We will achieve this through three aims;
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Uniting the HE and FE Sector through a UK-wide inclusive BRIT Challenge
The annual inclusive BRIT Challenge is flexible to enable universities, colleges, specialist colleges, and Students' Unions, to participate in ways that suit them best and for students and staff of all abilities to take part. The BRIT Challenge encourages the delivery of wide range of inclusive wellbeing activities, volunteering and Acts of Kindness in the Community, and fundraising for charitable causes, alongside BRIT.
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Delivering inspiration through British Sporting Icons
Olympians, Paralympians, sports personalities, elite athletes, adventurers, and explorers, will be invited to join us as BRIT Ambassadors and choose a university, college, or specialist college, to visit during the annual BRIT Challenge. They will be asked to encourage, enthuse and inspire students and staff to take on the annual BRIT Challenge, champion inclusion and resilience, and help destigmatise mental health.
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Raise funds for a second charity of your choice, alongside BRIT
BRIT is a collaborative charity and we are inviting every UK university, college, specialist college, and Students' Union, to unite and use the annual BRIT Challenge as a platform and opportunity to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities. We encourage a whole university or college approach to fundraising; inviting communities, businesses and alumna networks to donate.
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
We are sincerely grateful to the Education and Sport Governing Bodies and Mental Health Charities who are continuing to unite and partner with us to support the annual BRIT Challenge.
In addition to inviting and encouraging every Vice-Chancellor, College Principal and Students' Union President to champion the BRIT Challenge, our Education Partners, including The Committee of University Chairs (CUS), Universities UK (UUK), the Association of Colleges (AoC), Colleges Scotland, ColegauCymru and the National Union of Students (NUS), are helping to ensure we increase the opportunity for students and staff at every UK university, college and specialist college to take part.
“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.
How BRIT can support students and staff at every UK university, college, specialist college, and Students' Union (SU)
UK-wide university and college engagement is vital for the long-term success of BRIT and ensures our charity is;
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Uniting institutions through the annual BRIT Challenge wellbeing initiative and promoting a whole university and college approach to mental health.
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A collaborative charity that complements institutions and SUs with their strategies around EDI, Disability Inclusion, Community Engagement and Needs, Volunteering, and Social Action.
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Providing opportunities for institutions and SUs to raise funds for local, regional, and national charities, alongside BRIT, and enabling social and community impact including Acts of Kindness.
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Delivering an annual legacy event, that grows stronger year on year, with a continued UK-wide impact on improving and supporting student and staff mental health, fitness, and wellbeing.
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Bringing students and staff closer together through a wide range of inclusive wellbeing activities that help to destigmatise mental health and reduce isolation and loneliness.
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Enabling students and staff from every institution to be part of the charity; both within our BRIT Regional Steering Groups and also within their own internal BRIT Challenge Steering Groups.
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
Inclusivity -
25 Inclusive BRIT Challenge Wellbeing Activities
throughout 2025
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 25 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
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.
The 3 Pillars of The BRIT Challenge
Inclusive
Wellbeing Activities
This year we are encouraging Students' Unions and Institutions to deliver 25 inclusive wellbeing activities throughout their BRIT Challenge to engage students and staff of all abilities to improve health, fitness and wellbeing, promote inclusivity, and have fun!
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Acts of Kindness in the Community
Alongside wellbeing activities, we are encouraging the delivery of 25 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.
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Fundraising for charities alongside BRIT
Through the BRIT Challenge, we are encouraging fundraising for local, regional, and national, charities, alongside BRIT. We hope Students' Unions and Institutions will aim high and set inspiring fundraising goals from individuals raising £250.00 to Students' Unions and Institutions raising £2,500 and £25,000 for the larger
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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
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.
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