At Mentor Scotland, we believe connection is at the heart of mental health and wellbeing.
We offer supportive, non-judgmental peer support spaces across West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh, where people can come together to share experiences, speak openly and feel less alone in a safe environment.
Our work is rooted in lived experience. We are not a clinical service and we do not offer therapy or professional advice. We provide structured peer support built on respect, confidentiality and shared understanding.
What We Do
Mentor Scotland creates consistent, structured peer support spaces designed to reduce isolation, strengthen community connection and give people a safe place to talk.
Our current activities include:
• Friday Evening Peer Support
• Men’s Talking Group
• Women’s Talking Group
• Monthly Men’s Talking Group in Helensburgh
• Health Walks
• Cold Water Therapy
• Free Community Suicide Prevention Training, including ASIST and safeTALK
All of our groups operate with clear agreements that protect dignity, confidentiality and safety for everyone attending.
We believe that when structure, respect and safety are present, honest conversation can happen.
Why We Exist
Suicide prevention, peer support, mental health and social isolation are at the heart of why Mentor Scotland exists.
We know that many people are carrying more than others can see. Some feel isolated, disconnected, overwhelmed or unsure where to turn. Mentor Scotland was created to offer safe, structured spaces where people can talk without judgement, listen without interruption and feel less alone in what they are facing.
Our work is rooted in lived experience, community connection and early support. We believe that when people have somewhere to be heard, supported and connected, it can help reduce isolation, improve mental health and contribute to suicide prevention across our communities.
We believe open conversation strengthens communities and helps reduce the stigma attached to mental health.
Looking Ahead
Mentor Scotland continues to grow carefully in response to community need.
We are working alongside local groups, charities and services to strengthen access to peer support, community connection and suicide prevention training.
As we grow, our focus remains the same: protecting the safety, structure and integrity of our spaces while helping build stronger, more connected communities.
Join Us
If you are feeling isolated, unsure where to turn, or simply looking for connection, you are welcome.
If you want to support others, be part of something meaningful and help strengthen your community, there is space for you.
Let's continue the conversation and end the stigma attached to mental health.
Get to Know Us
Mentor Scotland began at Ben View Resource Centre on 11 November 2022, with our first Men’s Talking Group.
A small number of men attended that first night, but the impact of that session helped shape what Mentor Scotland would become. It showed the need for safe, structured spaces where people could talk openly, feel listened to and connect with others without judgement.
Since then, Mentor Scotland has grown from a men’s group into a wider peer support organisation for people aged 16 and over. We now offer a range of groups and activities designed to support mental health, reduce isolation and strengthen community connection.
Our activities support the mind, body and connection with others through talking groups, peer support, health walks, cold water therapy and suicide prevention training.
Along the way, Mentor Scotland has been recognised for its work within the community. We were awarded Community Group of the Year at the West Dunbartonshire Provost Awards and were also honoured with the Citizens of the Year award, presented by former Provost Douglas McAllister.
Our founder, Jamie MacLean, was awarded the first VIVA Third Sector Volunteer Manager of the Year award in 2024. Jamie has also been nominated for SCVO Scottish Volunteer of the Year 2025, and Mentor Scotland has been nominated for SCVO Small Charity of the Year 2025.
We are proud of the volunteers who continue to give their time, care and commitment to Mentor Scotland. Through training opportunities such as Scottish Mental Health First Aid and ASIST, our team continues to build the knowledge and confidence needed to support safe, structured peer support spaces.
As we continue to grow, our focus remains on creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where people can connect, talk and feel less alone.