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.