(Image: Supplied)
A free walk-in mental health hub in Glasgow has welcomed more than 8,500 visitors in its first year, as its operator seeks funding to expand the service across Scotland.
The Nook, run by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) in Merchant City, offers support without requiring a referral or appointment. It is the first site in a planned national network of community hubs.
Kitchen table and sheds. (Image: Supplied)
The service is open to young people aged 10 and over, adults and families, and offers one-to-one support, group sessions and peer support. Visitors can seek help for themselves or advice on supporting someone else, and may bring friends or family with them.
Since opening, the hub has supported people from a range of backgrounds, including men, people living in deprived areas and people from ethnic minority communities who may face barriers to accessing traditional mental health services.
Feedback collected by the service found that 96% of respondents said they would definitely recommend The Nook, while 98% completely agreed that they had been supported with empathy and warmth.
The Nook snug. (Image: Supplied)
SAMH is seeking to raise £10 million to expand the network. The charity has opened two Nook hubs so far without public funding and relies on donations to support further expansion, including plans for a site in Edinburgh.
Michael Harley, a visitor who became a wellbeing volunteer, said: “I did several weeks of talking therapy at The Nook, always with the same person, and it was great.
“The staff were brilliant, it's a safe, warm space. It's just a cracking place. Now I feel like a totally different person."
Michael Harley. (Image: Supplied)
Mr Harley added: “Rather than sitting on my own like a wee frightened mouse, I'm out there meeting people. When people are walking through that door, I can empathise with them.
“I don't know exactly what they're going through but I can offer a few things that might help them feel better. If they want to talk, I'm here to listen.
“If they need space, they can have all the space and time they need.”
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Ewan Hay, service manager at The Nook in Glasgow, said: “It's wonderful to be celebrating the first year of The Nook.
“So much has happened since this time last year and it's the ideal opportunity to reflect on that.
“This is the first Nook in SAMH's national network, but it already shows that the walk-in model is working and can become a transformative new element of Scotland’s mental health system.
“We're different to other services. We welcome young people (10+), adults and families from any location and offer a range of one-to-one, group and peer support.
“Our visitors are welcome to seek support for themselves as well as help and guidance about supporting others, and can bring friends or family along when they visit us.
“We're also a charity and it's only thanks to public support that we can run The Nook. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us so far.
“There are so many people in similar situations to Michael. People who need to talk but don't know where to turn. By contributing, you're helping us bring The Nook to more people who urgently need accessible mental health support.”