Spotlight on Arts – Reiss Loftus and the Brotherhood of Support
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In this week’s Spotlight on Arts episode, John Coster and Rob Watson speak with Reiss Loftus, founder of The Brotherhood Legion, a dynamic community interest company dedicated to men’s mental health and wellbeing. The discussion offers an honest, insightful, and inspiring window into how creativity, movement, and connection can be used as powerful tools for healing and community building.
Reiss shares his personal journey—from leaving school without qualifications and feeling directionless, to discovering a passion for dance and performance that changed his life. A pivotal moment came when a local community worker saw potential in him and helped him access training, supported by his own neighbourhood. That early act of support planted the seed for what would become Reiss’s life mission: to provide others with similar opportunities to reconnect with themselves, others, and a sense of purpose.
At the heart of the conversation is Reiss’s work with The Brotherhood Legion, which organises regular events and activities that blend conversation, physical activity, and social inclusion. From coffee meet-ups and fitness sessions, to creative gatherings and public events, the aim is always the same: to reduce isolation, challenge stigma around men’s mental health, and foster trust and mutual support. As Reiss explains, sometimes the most important intervention is simply being consistently present—offering a space where men can talk, or not talk, but always feel welcome and seen.
The episode touches on the challenges of managing emotional labour and public expectations, especially when you’re seen as someone who “can help.” Reiss discusses the importance of setting boundaries and caring for one’s own mental health while still being available to others in meaningful ways. His reflections on dealing with addiction, bereavement, and the pressure to always be strong are candid and deeply humanising.
The programme also previews The Brotherhood Legion Variety Show at the Little Theatre, an event that brings together performers, musicians, actors, and community members in a celebration of creativity and resilience. Reiss explains how the arts have always been central to his wellbeing and how he’s committed to using performance as a platform for wider conversations about mental health, self-expression, and personal growth.
What stands out most in this episode is the sense of lived purpose that Reiss brings to his work. He speaks from experience, but also from a place of empathy, humour, and clarity. For listeners, the episode offers not only insight into one man’s inspiring journey, but a reminder that community-led creativity can be a powerful force for change, especially when rooted in kindness, openness, and authenticity.
If you’re interested in how grassroots initiatives are reshaping conversations around mental health, or if you’re looking for an example of how the arts can truly change lives, this episode is well worth your time. It’s a story of movement—in every sense of the word.
