Meeting people where they are: bringing energy advice and mental health support together
At Home Energy Scotland, we know that worries about energy bills don’t exist in isolation. They can affect many areas of a person’s life, including their mental health and wellbeing.
We also know that people don’t always seek support for energy-related issues directly. Often, they’re reaching out for help with something else.
That’s why partnership working is such an important part of what we do. By working alongside trusted organisations in local communities, we can meet people where they are and connect them with the support they need. One example is our partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and its walk-in mental health support hub, The Nook, in Glasgow.
Understanding the challenges people face
The Nook provides free mental health support in a safe and welcoming environment. The service is open to anyone aged 16 and over who is experiencing emotional distress or mental health challenges. People can drop in without an appointment or referral to talk about their mental health concerns or seek support for someone they care about.
The focus is on early intervention, helping people access the right support before issues escalate to crisis point.
Many people who visit The Nook are facing multiple challenges at the same time. Alongside mental health concerns, they may be worried about:
· rising energy bills
· financial pressures
· the cost of living; and
· keeping their home warm.
These challenges are often closely linked. Financial worries can affect mental wellbeing, while poor mental health can make it more difficult to manage day-to-day concerns.
The solution: drop-in energy advice sessions
Following the launch of The Nook in 2025, Home Energy Scotland met with the team to explore ways we could work together. We recognised an opportunity to bring free, impartial energy advice into a trusted community setting, making it easier for people to access support with energy costs alongside the mental health support already available at the hub.
As a result, Home Energy Scotland now delivers monthly drop-in energy advice sessions at The Nook.
During these sessions, advisors can help people:
· understand their energy bills
· explore ways to reduce energy use at home
· check whether they may be entitled to financial support
· learn about grants, funding and energy-saving improvements
· access further support from Home Energy Scotland.
By bringing services together in one place, we’re helping people access practical support for some of the everyday challenges that can affect their wellbeing.
The value of partnership working
Partnerships like this help us reach people who may not otherwise contact Home Energy Scotland for advice.
More importantly, they make it easier for people to access different types of support in one place. Someone visiting The Nook can receive help with their mental health while also getting practical advice on managing energy costs, accessing financial support and finding ways to make their home more energy efficient.
This helps people access support earlier, removes barriers and connects them with the help they need. The partnership has also strengthened relationships between local organisations, helping us better support the communities we serve.
Looking ahead
We’re proud to work alongside SAMH and The Nook. Our partnership shows what can happen when organisations come together around the needs of the people they support. We’re looking forward to building on this relationship in the years ahead.
We would love to partner with your organisation too – find out more at homeenergyscotland.org/partner-with-us or email us at HES_Partnerships@est.org.uk.
