New support hub for men opens in Telford town centre
A new support hub for men has opened in Telford, offering a wide range of services aimed at promoting mental health.
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Primal Instincts opened its new hub in Telford town centre, next to the shopping centre, on Saturday (February 22).
Founded in 2023, the organisation prides itself on being "all about helping men" and working to help anyone "struggling in life".
The not-for-profit organisation aims to provide safe spaces for men and organises events such as the 'river dip' which takes place at 6am every Saturday and sees a group of lads dip into the chilly River Severn.
Moreover, Primal Instincts hosts a popular 'walk 'n' talk' in Telford Town Park each Sunday as well as several talk sessions throughout the week.
Their new premises which has become their 'home' features a darts board, pool table, television and more, and is aiming to be a welcoming place for men from across the region.
Telford MP Shaun Davies and The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Jenny Wynn joined directors of the organisation, group members, family and friends for the grand opening.
The new hub will be open every evening from 5pm onwards and every weekend in the near future.
One of the organisation's directors, Alan Kennedy, hopes the hub will be a benefit to the community.
He said: "We have a vision where we want a men's mental health centre. We want a place where we can offer everything for men: a gym, therapy, meditation, and lots of other things. That is the big goal.
"This is the first step to getting to that.
"We are offering men a space where they can come, and we will hold a number of things there and be looking at opportunities to help men get back into work, CV writing and interviews skills and other things.
"It is a place for men to come if they are feeling a bit down or a bit lonely. I am not saying pubs are a bad place but for some people it isn't the best place to go and the hub is somewhere different to that."
Primal Instincts has grown significantly since being formed and now boasts more than 200 members.
The organisation's talking circle event - which takes place on Wednesdays - used to be held at Dawley Town Hall, but will now operate from inside the new hub.
Alan has also been pleased to see new faces using their services since they opened the new hub.
"Saturday was a very good day, I would say it was pretty successful," the 42-year-old added. "We have had a few new people join and had some walk in during the first few days.
"As long as it is a hub for new people, it is also a space for men within the group to enjoy. A place that we can call our own, it is our home now really."
Members of the group also enjoy events such as paintballing and go-karting.
The not-for-profit organisation is self-funded and receives support from some local businesses.
Director Dean Pettinger added: "If anyone is in the Telford area and wants to walk in and have a conversation with someone then they can. We are here to listen, there will be no judgement."
