Munro’s Travel Visits The Nook: A Look Inside Aberdeen’s New Mental Health Support Hub

As part of its focus on supporting the wellbeing of its people, Munro’s Travel recently visited The Nook in Marischal Square to learn more about the free mental health support available to the local community.

Munro’s Mental Health First Aider, Lucy, and Marketing Executive, Rebecca, wanted to understand what The Nook is really like, what support it offers and what someone can expect when they walk through the door. By understanding the service, Munro’s can better signpost colleagues who may benefit from it and help make that first step feel a little easier.

The Nook is a free, walk-in mental health support hub from the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), providing a safe and non-clinical space for people to talk, find information, take part in wellbeing activities or access more structured support.

A welcoming space

One of the first things that stood out during the visit was how different The Nook feels from a traditional healthcare setting.

There is no formal reception or clinical waiting room. Visitors are welcomed at the door and invited to sit at the Kitchen Table for a chat. The Munro’s team was offered a cup of tea on arrival, and the space has been thoughtfully designed with cosy lighting, calming interiors and private areas for conversations.

There are also resources and information available to take away, so someone can visit simply to find out more or pick up something that might be useful.

Importantly, visitors don't need to know exactly what they need before they arrive.

Support in different forms

The Nook supports young people aged 10 and over, adults and families experiencing mental health difficulties that are affecting day-to-day life, as well as people supporting someone else.

Support can cover a wide range of experiences, from low mood, anxiety and loneliness to isolation, addiction and more serious mental health difficulties. For some people, talking to a trained volunteer or practitioner may be enough. Others can access structured sessions, wellbeing coaching, talking therapy and other forms of support.

Where someone needs specialist help elsewhere, The Nook can help connect them with appropriate services and follow up afterwards.

It isn't all about formal support either. The Nook runs wellbeing activities, workshops, peer support and community sessions. During the visit, Munro’s learned about activities including craft clubs, junk journaling and tote bag painting, as well as community drop-ins such as a Women’s Gambling Support and Home Energy Scotland sessions.

For people who work remotely or experience isolation, having somewhere welcoming to go, meet people and simply have a cup of tea and a chat can be valuable in itself.

Making the first step easier

For Lucy, visiting The Nook was about understanding the experience first-hand so she can confidently recommend it to colleagues who may need support.

“I wanted to visit The Nook so that I could understand exactly what someone can expect when they walk through the door. It’s reassuring to know that you don’t have to be at crisis point to go in. You can simply walk through the door, have a cup of tea and talk to someone.”

Lucy is also happy to accompany any colleagues who may feel nervous about visiting for the first time.

The Nook is open seven days a week, from 10am to 4pm, at Marischal Square in Aberdeen, and no appointment is needed.

Upcoming activities and sessions can be found through The Nook’s Eventbrite page: Eventbrite – The Nook Aberdeen

For anyone who is struggling, feeling isolated, worried about someone else or simply feels that talking to someone could help, The Nook offers somewhere welcoming to start.