At the scream club Where everyone comes together for a chance to let it all out - at top volume

On a cold Monday afternoon in Hyde Park, London, a small group of people gather by the Huntress fountain chatting softly among themselves.

- Sundus Abdi

Nothing about the group would seem unusual to passing dog walkers and runners - until they huddle together and one starts a countdown.

On three, a collective scream cuts through the park. It lasts only a few seconds before giving way to laughter. They were only meant to do it once, but end up screaming again - louder, the second time.

This is London Scream Club, one of several gatherings across the UK where people meet to scream into the open air as a form of release. A TikTok video of a public group scream in Minneapolis went viral, inspiring offshoots in Chicago and now cities including London and Birmingham. Participants follow a few simple rules: “Hydrate, respect your body’s limits and if you feel dizzy, pause,” explains 23-year-old Shania Barnes.