Spotlight

Welcome to The Nook

One of the most groundbreaking recent developments in our area has been creation of The Nook, the first in a national network of free, walk-in mental health support hubs run by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).

Opened in Wilson Street in October 2025, it is due to be followed by similar facilities in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Clydeside.

Team Leader Fraser Scott explained: “Many people are stuck in a cycle of referrals, waiting lists and barriers to accessing ongoing support. The Nook offers a simple alternative: a place where anyone could ask once and get help fast. No rejection, no waitlists, no stigma. Just compassionate support for whoever comes in.”

The Nook provides support to young people (10+), families and adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems impacting day-to-day living as well as to people supporting others.

This includes one-to-one support with a practitioner as well as weekly group activities like arts and crafts classes and peer support groups. Since opening, it has already welcomed more than 3,000 visitors and completed some 2,200 one-to-one support sessions, with 1,200 visitors registered for an account which allows them to book appointments, schedule classes and access a library of resources.

Its colourful interior was designed by Anna Campbell Jones, a judge of the BBC TV series, Scotland’s Home of the Year.

SAMH, based in the same building, operates 70 services in communities across Scotland. These also cover health social care, addictions, employment, suicide prevention and dementia care.

RNIB Scotland: Getting Around the City Centre

We were delighted to welcome RNIB Scotland to our November meeting to discuss the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people when they are out and about.

Eileen Clarkson, Campaigns Officer, RNIB Scotland, explains some of the issues:

My colleague Alan Stewart and I welcomed the chance to talk about what it’s like for someone with sight loss navigating Glasgow’s streets.

Even things that appear aesthetically pleasing such as street furniture and planters can be a hazard.  Equally dangerous are badly placed bins, poles or advertising boards. For most sighted people dodging obstacles is relatively easy but this is not the case for people in the blind and partially sighted community.

As the landscape of our city centre changes, blind people must mentally relearn how to navigate their way.  Controlled crossings, well-placed tactile paving – the bumpy slab at the paving edge that indicate changes in the street – and clear roads all help make it easier for people to get around.

As someone with sight loss who visits the Merchant City often, Alan shared some of the tactics he employs – for example how he uses his cane to let people know he is approaching and also for detecting potential hazards.

We hope raising these issues will help people realise what makes for a safe and welcoming environment for those who are blind and partially sighted, and recognise the challenges.

Stop! Look around! Ask if this would be a safe environment for someone who is blind – and think what you can do to improve it.

Merchant City and Trongate is one of the most historic and interesting parts of our city. RNIB Scotland wants it to be accessible for everyone.

To find out more please find the link to our Street Credibility Report:  RNIB Scotland calls for Street Credibility | RNIB