'Cold water swim spot our new favourite space'

Taking a dip in near-freezing cold water might not be everyone's idea of a fun time, but a founder of a men's mental health group said it has done wonders for their wellbeing.

Chris Hughes, who set up Men Rebuilding Men, said he started cold water swimming after realising how much he enjoyed being in the sea while on holiday.

He has since started organising events for his group at Whitmore Lakes, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and said it had been beneficial for their mental health.

Hughes, from Tittensor, told BBC Radio Stoke the beauty spot had since become their "new favourite space".

"While we are in there, all of your brain is focusing on trying to stay warm," he added.

"Whitmore Lakes has great surroundings as well. You've got all the nature, the trees, the wildlife - it's a perfect getaway.

"The endorphins and dopamine hits you get from the cold-water exposure is like no other really."

Hughes said the sessions, which also include time in the saunas followed by coffee and cake at the café, have been attended by upwards of 20 men, despite water temperatures plunging to as low as 2C during January and February.

He said the events had been received well, adding some members had even purchased cold-water plunge pools for their gardens.

Hughes founded Men Rebuilding Men in November after he sought help five years ago when he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

More than 1,500 men joined the Facebook group within two weeks, with the first coffee and walk event taking place at Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent in December.

Hughes, who went through counselling and got sober after he sought help, said the group was going really well, adding: "It's going from strength to strength."

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