Why the BRIT Challenge puts collaboration at its heart and how the Localgiving community can get involved in 2024.
"...we are always themed around the year, and this year we are keen for groups to come up with 24 Acts of Kindness in their community – e.g. support a food bank, clean up a beach, litter pick etc. We encourage people to choose their own projects, to really make the difference to their community."
Since 2012, the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) Challenge has worked with higher and further education institutions, Students Unions, and sixth form and specialist colleges, throughout the UK, evolving from an initial vision to aid young adults struggling with physical and mental trauma to now being a charity that works to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing, of young adults, students, and staff. Founded by Phil Packer, the annual BRIT Challenge ( @Brit_Challenge ), starting again soon on 24th January 2024, is a two month period of feelgood fundraising, where a wide range of partners including not just higher and further education but also sports bodies, charities, institutions, businesses, and philanthropists work together to raise funds for BRIT to both support young adult mental health but also a second charity.
It’s this second charity aspect that we think is particularly interesting for our Localgiving community, so our Head of Communications, Luke Upton, recently had a great chat with Phil Packer, the founder of BRIT and Non-Paid Chief Executive about the organisations, its goals, aims and what if can deliver for its partners. Whilst serving with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, in 2008, Phil sustained life-changing, catastrophic spinal cord injuries. His journey since then has been remarkable, undertaking some huge physical challenges, raising millions of pounds and channelling his energy and resolve into the BRIT Challenge. Phil has a particular focus on collaboration, which comes through loud and clear during the discussion.
Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for the time today Phil, for those our readers who might not be familiar with the BRIT Challenge could you give, in your own words a brief overview of its origins and aims?
Phil Packer (PP): No problem Luke, the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) is a young adult, student, and staff, mental health charity that since founding has evolved to support students and staff in universities and colleges. We deliver an annual inclusive event, the BRIT Challenge, themed around the year, in the ‘gloomy months’ of January to March.The aims are to destigmatise mental health, encourage the delivery of inclusive wellbeing activities for student and staff of all abilities, and promote acts of kindness in the community. We also encourage our fundraisers to support a second charity, and not just us. We have an unconventional model, but at our heart is collaboration for everyone who is involved.
LU: Thanks, since your launch, I’d be interested to hear what are a couple of the big changes or shifts you’ve seen within the charity sector?
PP: We’ve changed and evolved, as has the sector. When we launched, we aimed to create a building as a centre to support those needing help with physical and mental trauma but after a couple of years, we saw there wasn’t an appetite for this – people needed non-residential support. Help in the communities they are already in. In terms of fundraising, the decrease in people carrying cash has been a major change. Quite simply you can’t rely on shaking a bucket anymore. When I did my marathon fundraising, most of the money was donated in buckets along the route, that wouldn’t be the case if I did that today. Everything is now driven towards a donation page, which has its positives but if people don’t donate then and there, they’ll forget. This has been a big thing for us and our charity partners.
LU: The next edition of the BRIT Challenge starts on January 24th and runs for two months, what are some of the highlights?
PP: Yes, it all kicks off on January 24th. We schedule for the start of the year, as it’s a particularly gloomy time of the year, so people like a lift! It’s open for two months, so people have flexibility as to when they do a challenge. In terms on highlights, we are always themed around the year, and this year we are keen for groups to come up with 24 Acts of Kindness in their community – e.g. support a foodbank, clean up a beach, litter pick etc. We encourage people to choose their own projects, to really make the difference to their community. It’s really exciting and we want people to measure the impact, and then celebrate it!
LU: For our grassroots community charities reading this, how could they become involved in the BRIT Challenge and what could it deliver for them and their causes?
PP: The best way is for them to contact their local colleges and universities and ask to be considered for fundraising for their students participating in the BRIT Challenge from January. Because of the high turnover of students (and sometimes staff too), they might not know of good local causes that could do with help. So, just ask the questions of your local higher, further, tertiary or specialist education institute– ‘are you taking part in the BRIT Challenge’ and if so ‘would you be interested in supporting us’ ? Just ask the question!
Even if there’s no link, now is the time to build one. And remember, its not always about fundraising, could be putting on a concert, donating art for an auction, sports coaching, collecting resources, clothing or food. And anyone can take part in the BRIT Challenge, not just higher education institutions, in particular sports clubs that have a focus on inclusivity are very welcome.
LU: A big part of your charity career and the BRIT Challenge is forging meaningful and productive partnerships between different organisations, what advice would you offer our readers looking to do similar?
PP: Yes, partnership building is huge part of what I do. It can take a bit of time to find the right person, The best relationships are personal and built directly. I’ve done over 900 visits to schools, colleges, charities etc. and its essential to get time in front of someone. Sometimes the timing is crucial. But keeping it personal is key and once you have built strong relationships, amazing things can be done!