Construction work has begun on The Nook in Aberdeen, a new walk-in hub from SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) where anyone can access stigma-free mental health support.
Local firm Burns Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd has been appointed as lead contractor to transform the Marischal Square site, which previously housed restaurant Tony Macaroni.
The Nook is SAMH’s most ambitious project yet, offering free mental health support to adults, young people and families seven days a week, without the need for appointments, referrals, or waiting lists.
This will be the second of SAMH’s five planned Nooks, creating Scotland’s first national network of walk-in mental health and wellbeing support hubs, and it is scheduled to open by the middle of this year.
With input from the local community, including people with experience of mental health problems, The Nook in Aberdeen will receive a fresh, north-eastern twist on the design of the first Nook, which opened in Glasgow last year.
The largest charitable mental health initiative in Scotland’s history, SAMH hopes The Nook will revolutionise mental health support in Scotland – and inspire collective action to change the system in the longer term.
There will also be an extensive outreach programme that will accompany each hub, bringing vital support into even more communities.
By 2028, there will be a network of five Nooks across Scotland, providing barrier-free support to tens of thousands of people each year.
Jason Bryce, chief operating officer at SAMH, said: “We are so pleased to announce that construction of The Nook in Aberdeen is now underway, bringing barrier-free mental health support one step closer to anyone in the North East and keeping us on schedule for a planned open date of summer 2026. The Nook is already changing lives in Glasgow and we cannot wait to roll this support out across the country.
“We are also happy to confirm we are working with local contractor Burns Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd to bring this Nook to life, and to be teaming up again with Hardies Chartered Surveyors and Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, who supported us with The Nook in Glasgow. Developing The Nook requires close collaboration and careful decision making to create a space that removes barriers to support, helps brings people together and provides safety and comfort for anyone accessing mental health support.
“Although the overall concept is the same, The Nook in Aberdeen will be tailored to the North East in terms of the physical space, the types of events we offer locally, the partners we engage with, and the outreach programme in local communities.”
Keith McPhee, commercial director at Burns Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be involved in the construction of this vital mental health project, delivering much-needed services in the North East of Scotland. Supporting infrastructure that prioritises mental wellbeing is something we deeply value, and it is a privilege to contribute to a hub that will make a meaningful difference to individuals, families and the wider community.”
Douglas Smith, managing partner at Hardies Chartered Surveyors, said: “We are very much looking forward to the opening of the second Nook. Hardies Chartered Surveyors and Shepherd Chartered Surveyors are involved from inception through to completion, and we are delighted to support the project within an ambitious timescale and agreed budget. It will be fantastic to see another Nook come to life, providing a welcoming, purpose‑built space that supports mental health and wellbeing within the community.”
The Nook in Aberdeen is expected to open to the public this summer. To donate to The Nook, and help us support more people in more communities across Scotland, please visit the SAMH website: www.samh.org.uk