Mental health charity Isle Listen is organising a ’Sea dip for your sanity’ event in Port Erin Bay at 8am this Saturday (October 23).

The event is planned to coincide with World Swim Day and Isle Listen are asking the Manx community to join them ’in supporting each other’s mental health through the powers of sea dipping’.

The charity said: ’Whether you are a regular "dipper" or would like to try it for the first time, the event will be a great way to challenge yourself and have a positive impact on your mental health.

’Everyone of all abilities is welcome and will be well looked after by the event volunteers and fellow dippers.

’With the generous support of Thomas Miller, all funds raised for the event and 100% of the event registration fee (£10 for adults and £5 for children) will remain in the island and enable Isle Listen to continue its vital services in schools, the workplace and community.’

The charity explained that there is evidence that spending time in blue spaces has a positive impact on people’s mental health, and immersion in cold water releases hormones in the body that aid sleep and can counteract feelings of depression and anxiety.

It continued: ’For these reasons, the physical benefits of exercise, and simply the joy felt while doing the activity, many people have taken up sea dipping over the past 18 months with swimming pools being closed during the pandemic.’