Get involved with the BRIT Challenge

Solent University will be taking part in the BRIT Challenge 2024 to support the mental health agenda for our students and staff, and we need your help.

In July 2022, Solent University awarded an Honorary Degree on Phil Packer MBE. Phil is a mental health and fitness, disability and charity adviser. He is the founder and non-paid CEO of the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT).

We’re also pleased to share that Phil will be delivering a guest lecture at Solent on University Mental Health Day. (More details coming soon.)

The work of BRIT to support young adult, student and staff mental health and wellbeing has led to the delivery of the annual BRIT Challenge. This inclusive, feel-good fundraiser for every UK university and college encourages participation to improve mental health and fitness.

Find out more about the BRIT Challenge >

Get involved

This year, Solent University will be taking part in the BRIT Challenge 2024 to support the mental health agenda for our students and staff. The challenge will take place between Thursday 1 February and Thursday 14 March, University Mental Health Day.

We are aiming to raise awareness of this important issue and encourage you to get involved in the different activities we are running – whether that is going for a walk, joining a Yoga session or getting crafty.

Find out how you can get involved:

• Staff who are keen cyclists can get involved in Southampton’s Love2Ride scheme.
• Come along to our Get into Volunteering Festival during National Student Volunteering Week, 12-18 February, and discover the benefits of volunteering and opportunities available.
• We’ll be running our next Menopause Café on Wednesday 6 March.
• The therapy and mental health team will be running a series of Wellbeing Cafe’s in March.
• On Fridays between 2-3pm, staff and students can join in with Visosport - a fun, physical and interactive game. No need to book, just come along to the multipurpose sports hall in the sports complex. 
• The Students' Union are organising activities as part of their Give It A Go scheme, including pottery making and tarot reading.
• We’re running three sessions of mental health disclosure training for staff.
• As well as mental health and wellbeing training for our managers.
• You can join our walking football, for staff and students, every Monday at 5pm.
• And there will be a football tournament, open to all, on Wednesday 6 March.
• Don’t forget our staff singing group meet every Tuesday.
• Our sports massage and injury clinic are back open this term.
• Everyone is welcome to join us in the Spark on Thursday 14 March for University Mental Health Day.

We'd also encourage you to post on social media (Facebook, X or Instagram), using #WeAreSolent. You can follow BRIT on X and use #TheBRITChallenge to help raise even more awareness.

Vote for your preferred charity 

As part of the challenge and as our annual fundraiser, we are fundraising for our charity of choice. You can vote for your preferred cause until next Wednesday 14 February*.

*Thank you to all staff and students who voted. You have chosen Solent Mind as our charity of choice for the 2024 BRIT Challenge.

Donate to Solent Mind >

If you have any queries please email Tania Struetzel, Head of Student Success, via tania.struetzel@solent.ac.uk.