“In 2019/20, Universities UK partnered with BRIT, together with The Association of Colleges, Colegau Cymru, Colleges Scotland, BUCS and the NUS, to invite and encourage every university and college in the UK to take part in the Row Britannia Challenge.

 

The founder and non-paid CEO of BRIT personally invited every vice-chancellor and college principal to encourage their students to enter a team, complete the challenge and raise funds to support student mental health.  Almost 130 visits took place during an unprecedented 5-month UK-tour and pre-lockdown, almost 100 institutions were taking part with many more of our members preparing to register teams.

 

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic stopped hundreds of thousands of students, and staff, from completing their 2,020-mile challenge and reaching their fundraising targets.  I am delighted that BRIT is delivering a bigger, better and more inclusive BRIT 2021 Challenge in 2021 that can be completed on campus or at home, depending on the restrictions in place. This will enable students to take part wherever they are. 

 

I urge all of our members to register teams to take part in the BRIT 2021 Challenge, support their students in taking on their 2021-mile challenge and help to raise vital funds for BRIT’s collaboration of mental health charities who support young adults in the UK.”

 

Professor Julia Buckingham CBE

President of Universities UK

 

“At sportscotland our vision is for an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport. We want to help the people of Scotland get the most from the sporting system.

 

We are delighted to support the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) and this inspiring initiative for students and young adults.  I am pleased that so many Scottish universities and colleges entered teams for BRIT’s 2020 Row Britannia Challenge and hope that they will all take part in the BRIT 2021 Challenge.

 

The is an inclusive and accessible event that has the potential to engage many young people throughout Scotland and improve their mental health and fitness. For maximum impact and success, I would encourage all our universities and colleges to champion this opportunity, enter teams and encourage student participation.” 

 

Stewart Harris

Chief Executive

sportscotland

"We are very excited to be working with The British Inspiration Trust and providing advice, guidance and support.  We believe that having physically and mentally healthy students and staff is central to enabling every higher education to perform better and achieve its Vision and Purpose.  This is why we encourage every organisation to position wellbeing and mental health as a strategic priority.

 

BRIT is unique; not only are they a collaborative charity supporting other mental health charities through their UK-wide fundraising events; they are determined to bring education and sporting institutions together, in order to encourage every university, college and student union to embrace their annual BRIT Challenges and support and improve student and staff mental health and fitness.  BRIT are also striving to bring British Sporting Icons together by inviting them to become BRIT Ambassadors and deliver much needed inspiration to young adults and students.

 

We need to invest more in mental health and wellbeing and the work of The Matthew Elvidge Trust involves providing grants and influencing policy across suicide prevention, bereavement support and mental health education in schools, universities and the workplace; https://matthewelvidgetrust.com "

 

Hamish Elvidge

Chair, The Matthew Elvidge Trust

Founding Member, Mental Health in Higher Education Advisory Group