River dip to help men's mental health

Primal Instincts started life as a group of friends taking early-morning river dips

A group which holds early-morning river dips has been praised for its efforts to help men with their mental health.

Primal Instincts in Telford began life when a handful of men decided to start jumping into the River Severn last year. Now up to 60 take part.

Its river dip, held early on Saturdays, continues to be its most popular event but now it holds other support sessions, including talking circles and walk ‘n’ talks.

The group has been nominated for BBC Radio Shropshire’s Make a Difference Awards, which will take place in September.

Alan Kennedy, who helps to run the group, said he was going through some problems when he started to take part in the activity.

“We leave it all in the river,” he said.

Luke Whitfield said the group helped him to "bring the old Luke back"

Luke Whitfield has been attending for eight months, following the death of a friend.

He said he had been depressed, was drinking every weekend and was not the person he should be, before he went to his first session.

“I’ve met some extraordinary people and a lot of people similar to me…and that’s why we get on so well,” he said.

“It’s really brought the old Luke back – back to when I was a teenager. It’s just brought me back into a reality of happiness rather than being sucked into a dark place.”

Mr Whitfield said he has become a person who would “do anything for anyone”, particularly those who were struggling.

But he added: “I’ve learnt that you can only help yourself. If you want to do it then you will do it but you can’t expect other people to do it for you.”

The BBC Radio Shropshire Make a Difference Awards winner will be announced in September.