![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0_Michael-Harley-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMichael Harley feels like “a totally different person” after talking therapy with practitioners at The Nook in Glasgow, a free walk-in hub for people struggling with mental health.<\/p>\n
07:41, 23 Oct 2026Updated 09:20, 23 Oct 2026<\/p>\n
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Michael Harley spoke to someone about how he was feeling. <\/p>\n
A Glasgow man battling depression <\/a>and anxiety found solace in a mental health and wellbeing hub after admitting he shut himself away from the world.<\/p>\n Michael Harley hadn’t considered he might be experiencing depression until someone else raised it. “I didn’t want to go anywhere, I just shut myself away from the world”, he said.<\/p>\n He has bravely shared his story after seeking help from The Nook<\/a>, a free walk-in mental health hub based in the Merchant City, which is celebrating a year of offering support to those who need it. The aim of the hubs, which are run by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), is to provide barrier-free access to support, with its walk-in system meaning no bookings, referrals or waiting lists.<\/p>\n The hub is open seven days a week, and anyone looking for mental health support can walk in and speak to the team. Michael visited earlier this year and, through several weeks of talking therapy, he now feels “like a totally different person”.<\/p>\n He said: “I’d already engaged with SAMH with a service a few years ago that offered a few weeks of counselling. I noticed a big difference in how I felt after talking to someone at SAMH then. Each week, getting the word out felt a bit easier.<\/p>\n “This colleague mentioned the Nook was coming to Glasgow soon and that anyone could go for support when it opened. I had a wee bit of trepidation about coming into The Nook that first time. I didn’t really want to talk to a stranger about things. But in the end, I thought I might as well because if I don’t, I’ll bottle this up inside and that’s no good.<\/p>\n “The staff were brilliant, it’s a safe, warm space. It’s just a cracking place.”<\/p>\n Inside the Nook. <\/p>\n Michael, who has since joined The Nook as a wellbeing volunteer, added: “When people are walking through that door and they don’t feel quite right, 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.<\/p>\n “Other people might not all be in the same headspace as you. Some are going through things still, some have come out the other side. But everyone’s there to talk and listen. And it’s good to talk.<\/p>\n “If they want to talk, I’m here to talk. If they need space, they can have all the space and time they need. I might not have all the answers but I’ll help you get to the right person who does.”<\/p>\n There’s plenty of events going on at The Nook, as well as a grief caf\u00e9 which Michael attends. On Thursday’s, the hub offers a walk and talk service which he also attends when he is able to.<\/p>\n The Nook in Glasgow has welcomed 8,500 visitors through its doors for support in its first year.<\/p>\n Ewan Hay<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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\u2019s mental health system.<\/p>\n “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. 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.<\/p>\n![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0_Kitchen-table-and-sheds.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ewan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0_Ewan-Hay.jpg\")
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