We were delighted that Association of Colleges (AoC) partnered with BRIT and encouraged colleges throughout England to register teams in the BRIT Challenge in order to support and improve young adult mental health and fitness.
The Association of Colleges is the national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England. They are a not-for-profit membership organisation established in 1996 by colleges, for colleges. Their members make up almost 95% of the sector - transforming 2.2 million lives each year. Acting as the collective voice, Association of Colleges represent and promote the interests of colleges, and provide their members with high-quality professional support services, including training, events, and recruitment. Our aspiration is to ensure every college, Students' Union and student are aware of the annual BRIT Challenge and the opportunity to enter teams and participate. We are therefore thrilled that Association of Colleges have championed the BRIT Challenge over the past two years and encouraged their members to take part.
Over the past two years, almost 180 university and college teams have taken part in the BRIT Challenge.
Earlier this year, David Hughes, CEO of the Association of Colleges said;
“I would strongly encourage all colleges across the country to get involved in The British Inspiration Trust’s BRIT 2021 Challenge. This challenge is a super opportunity for teams of students to raise awareness of mental health issues, fundraise for mental health charities and be part of an extraordinary test of physical and mental fitness. With our collective support, the BRIT 2021 Challenge has the potential to provide a great platform for colleges to raise awareness together and deliver a powerful and positive message."
David Hughes CEO Association of Colleges
We are also delighted that, together with Association of Colleges, AoC Sport have supported our BRIT Challenges over the past two years as the lead organisation for college sport and physical activity. Offering a range of specialist advice, training and events, AoC Sport champion a whole-organisation, cross-curricular approach to sport and physical activity, which results in improved educational outcomes, employability and student health.
The Association of Colleges and AoC Sport also work with colleges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and their support has greatly assisted our vision to ensure that our annual BRIT Challenge invitation reaches every college in the UK.
Prior to the launch of this year's BRIT Challenge, Stuart Rimmer MBE, Chief Executive at East Coast College and Chair of the Association of Colleges' Mental Health Portfolio Group, said;
"Mental health is now one of the five top priorities for the AoC. This is entirely and undisputedly the right call, pointing to a direct, immediate and likely long-term human cost of COVID-19 to which colleges will need to respond on the front line.
It is over a year since we launched the AoC Mental Health Charter. The aim of the charter was to acknowledge that colleges have a responsibility to create environments that promote student and staff wellbeing and proactively support good mental health. Over 150 colleges have committed to the charter. Never before has it been so tested and so essential to have a robust college mental health strategy.
I hope every college gets behind The British Inspiration’s Trust’s bold BRIT 2021 Challenge as it complements college mental health strategies and supports good mental health. Together we can raise money and awareness along with having some great fun!”.
Stuart Rimmer MBE
Chief Executive at East Coast College and
Chair of the Association of Colleges' Mental Health Portfolio Group
We are sincerely grateful to David, Stuart, Dean Hardman (the AoC's Director of Sport and Student Services) and Richard Caulfield, Area Director (NW) and National Lead Mental Health at the AoC, for developing our partnership and championing the annual BRIT Challenge so every college can register teams and take part.
Thank you to every college student and staff member for taking on the BRIT Challenge this year.
The next BRIT Challenge will take place in February 2022 and every college in the UK will be invited to participate in our annual feel-good February fundraiser.