A brand new talks series launches at Grosvenor Road Studios

Following the success of Well Run Brum's fortnightly 5KMs across Birmingham, where each run begins with a guest speaker, the men's mental wellness movement is launching a brand-new series of extended 60-minute conversations at the historic Grosvenor Road Studios.

When I launched Well Run Brum in 2024, I really wanted to build a support network – a community. And I saw that it could serve a greater purpose for men across the Midlands because it wasn’t something that only I needed. The statistics around men’s mental health support that. Men are typically socialised in a manner that dissuades them from acknowledging or displaying vulnerability. One in four people experience mental health issues every year and men are far less likely to seek help. From my own experience I know that can lead to those greater moments of crisis. That needs to change. We need to build environments which encourage men to start talking to each other and sharing what’s on our minds. The more we do that the less daunting it is. Richard Loftus, founder of Well Run Brum

Ugandan-British ultrarunner Deo Kato will make his way to Birmingham to share stories from his epic 16-month challenge running from Cape Town to London to tell the historic story of Human Migration from Africa to the Rest of the World. The campaigner, activist and trail runner's story will be accompanied with musical moments from Birmingham-based ensemble Black Voices, blending melodies of Europe and the rhythms of Africa.

Deo Kato joins Well Run Brum for the Pep Talk on Friday 9 May, featuring live music from Europe's finest female a cappella quintet Black Voices. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Grosvenor Road Studios was acquired by Black Voices in 2001 with the support of Arts Council England. In addition to being one of the largest recording studios in the West Midlands, the studios boast a hub for arts and community development, a workspace of seven offices for creative, cultural and community businesses, a centre for arts training and development and a woodland garden for local children and their families.

Tickets for these intimate gatherings at Birmingham's historic recording studio, Grosvenor Road Studio are now on sale.