With the impact of COVID-19 compounding existing mental health issues and many young adults feeling isolated, The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) has launched the BRIT 2021 Challenge to improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK.
BRIT is striving to unite the education, sport and charity sectors to ensure that every UK university, college, student union and student can take part in the BRIT 2021 Challenge - an inclusive feel-good fundraiser to improve mental health and fitness and raise money for charities providing vital support to students and young adults.
The Committee of University Chairs (CUC), Universities UK (UUK), the Association of Colleges (AoC), ColegauCymru, Colleges Scotland and the National Union of Students (NUS) are all partnering with BRIT to promote the BRIT 2021 Challenge and encourage their members to take part. It is hoped that this collectively powerful approach will ensure over five million Higher Education and Further Education students and staff have the opportunity to participate.
The BRIT 2021 Challenge follows the success of a similar event last year – The BRIT 2020 Row Britannia Challenge – which saw almost 100 institutions take part to improve young adult mental health and fundraise for BRIT’s partner charities. BRIT has received overwhelming support from universities, colleges and student unions to deliver an annual inspirational and inclusive event. This year’s challenge is supported by an array of sporting ambassadors including Dame Katherine Grainger DBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE and Sally Gunnell OBE.
Every UK university, college and student union is invited to register to take part in the BRIT 2021 Challenge, enter teams and encourage student and staff participation; either on campus or at home. All funds raised will be shared equally between;
- Student Minds
- Nightline
- PAPYRUS – Prevention of young suicide
- The Charlie Waller Trust
- The British Inspiration Trust
The BRIT 2021 Challenge is designed to be completed by individuals working as a team to cover the 2,021mile distance, between now and 1 July 2021, by either hand-cycling, cycling, wheelchair pushing, swimming, walking, jogging, running, rowing or paddling (canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding).
BRIT is supported by leading experts in young adult mental health, a wealth of British sporting icons, chief executives of national charities, education and sport governing bodies and universities and colleges throughout the UK; pre-launch, over 30 institutions have already pledged to take part.
BRIT delivers inspiration by inviting British sporting icons (BRIT Ambassadors) to support their local university or college and encourage, inspire and thank students and staff for taking part in BRIT’s Challenges. These BRIT Ambassadors are current and retired Paralympians, Olympians, sports personalities, adventurers and explorers; all of whom understand the challenges, trauma and adversity that young adults face in their lives. British sporting icons are encouraging fellow sports personalities to join the BRIT Family and unite in support of young adult mental health including Sir Steve Redgrave CBE DL;
“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 their visionary approach to collaborate with education and sport governing bodies and organisations.
BRIT has three aims;
- Support student mental health, fitness & wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness
- Deliver inspiration to young adults with the support of British sporting icons
- Raise vital funds for BRIT’s collaboration of mental health charity partners
Dee Caffari MBE, Record-breaking Yachtswoman and BRIT Ambassador, said,
“As a former teacher I am only too aware of the difficult stage in life the young adult years can be. Mental Health Charity Reports are showing that the impact of COVID-19 is compounding existing mental health difficulties including depression, increased feelings of anxiety and isolation, loss of coping mechanisms and loss of motivation. Providing support to young adults is vital.
From the moment the charity was launched in 2011, BRIT has been determined to collaborate and work closely with other charities. Over 60 charity CEOs have supported the BRIT vision and aims by providing advice or working in partnership. In addition to the five mental health charities who will be beneficiaries of funds raised through the BRIT 2021 Challenge, BRIT is championing the services of numerous frontline mental health charities including The Matthew Elvidge Trust, Samaritans and SHOUT. This is to ensure young adults are aware of the support and services available to them.
BRIT does not employ any staff to reduce overheads and replies upon sponsors, gifted professional services and volunteer support. Phil Packer, BRIT’s Founder and Non-Paid CEO, said;
“Driven by the consistent rise of mental health challenges faced by young adults, we will do everything in our power to support young adult mental health in the UK and, by raising vital funds for our charity partners, save lives. To enable BRIT to deliver, I implore businesses, philanthropists and sponsors to unite with us and increase our UK-wide impact on improving young adult mental health and fitness. Together we have an opportunity to be collectively powerful."