SAMH introduces The Nook
26th March 2025
Introducing The Nook – Scotland’s first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs
We will open the nation’s first ever network of free walk-in mental health support hubs, finally giving people experiencing mental health problems a place to get help fast.
The largest mental health charity initiative in Scotland’s history, The Nook will provide barrier-free access to mental health support. There will be no need to book an appointment, no need for NHS referrals, and no waiting lists. Anyone looking for help can walk through the door whenever they need to.
Scotland’s mental health nose-dived during Covid, and has yet to recover, with tens of thousands of Scots on waiting lists, battling to access support. The Nook is our response to this national crisis.
SAMH HQ in Glasgow’s city centre will be transformed into the first Nook with design experts drafted in to make the space welcoming, accessible and inviting for the many thousands of visitors expected when it opens in Autumn 2025.
Further Nooks are planned for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverclyde and Lanarkshire, creating a network of mental health support across the country. Each Nook will include an extensive outreach programme, helping many thousands more based in surrounding areas.
But this transformational initiative will only become a reality with support from the public. The Nook is supported by our first ever major appeal, with a target of £10m to fund the hubs for three years. Donations can be made on their website here samh.org.uk/nook.
This exciting news coincides with our new four-year plan, Taking Action, Creating Change, which has also been announced today.
Our Chief Executive, Billy Watson, said: “We believe people with mental health problems should be able to ask once and get help fast, so we’re taking action to make that a reality.
“The Nook is the most ambitious thing we’ve ever done. We believe it will revolutionise mental health support in Scotland – and inspire collective action to change the system in the longer term.
“The most important aspect of The Nook is the delivery of effective, compassionate and person-centred mental health support that empowers people to improve their wellbeing and manage their mental health challenges.
“We need public support to help make this happen – and we can open more Nooks in more communities with more support.”
Steve Tufnell from Falkirk faced bullying at school and rejection from his family at an early age, leading to a struggle against depression for most of his adult life. The loneliness and isolation he experienced came to a head during the Covid lockdown, when he began having thoughts of suicide.
Steve said: "A friend let me know about SAMH and it’s a miracle really. If that hadn’t happened, I really don’t know where I’d be now.
"The Nook is an absolutely fantastic idea. Somewhere relaxing, and you can take the weight of the world off your shoulders.
“It would definitely have helped me."
Our Chair, Shona Littlejohn, said: “Scotland is in a mental health crisis. We have waited long enough for investment in better community mental health support. People are sitting on waiting lists, unable to access the help they need, while too many of our young people are rejected from support.
“Something has to change. We are a trusted provider of mental health support and we are ready to take action. By creating our first Nook in Glasgow, we will create the change we believe is needed to help the many thousands of people experiencing mental health problems in Scotland.
“We have waited long enough for government and other bodies to solve this problem. It’s time to take action, it’s time to create change, and that’s what the Nook is all about.”
Find out about The Nook.
