The importance of community connections for health and wellbeing

Written by: Sophie Steenbakkers — ALISS Engagement and Communications Officer
Published: 27th May 2025

A graphic of a group of people of all ages talking, walking and being together

Nan McKay Community Hall is a welcoming space in Pollokshields where community, health, and wellbeing come together.

The link between community and wellbeing is increasingly being recognised, as highlighted by this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. The week focused entirely on celebrating the power and importance of community. This importance was once more demonstrated when Amber and I visited the Nan McKay Community Hall’s Open Day last week. We were welcomed into a vibrant, local community hub that has been run by dedicated volunteers for over 40 years.

At the heart of the Hall’s work are Anne, Stuart, and Bill. Thanks to their passion and commitment, and the efforts of a wider team of volunteers, the Hall offers a variety of activities and services – from gardening and making stained glass, to a clinic for footcare and hearing aids.

Collage of two images. Image on the left shows a table covered in colourful drawings and paintings. Image on the right shows a table covered in stained glass artwork. — Some of the weekly activities offered at the Nan McKay Community Hall

Stories from volunteers

We had the pleasure of meeting several of the volunteers who make it all happen. One of them was garden volunteer Amanda. She told us that being part of the Hall feels like being part of a big family. She also shared that gardening has helped her regain a sense of purpose and motivated her to start gardening at home. Together with neighbours, she has transformed their communal garden into a lovely green space. Another person we spoke to said that they had not realised everything the Hall had to offer – despite living nearby. But once they got involved, it had really contributed to their quality of life.

It was great to see the positive impact the Hall has on people in Pollokshields, not only through the services on offer, but also through the sense of connection and belonging it creates in the community.

Collage of two images. Image on the left shows a green garden with yellow roses and in the background the Nan McKay Community Hall. Image on the right shows a person standing in the garden pointing at something in the distance. — The garden at Nan McKay Community Hall

Help people discover local groups and services

The services offered at the Hall are listed on ALISS, making them easy for people to find and access. Unfortunately, many other local initiatives go unnoticed. If you are part of a community group or organisation offering support, activities or services in your local area, I would like to encourage you to add your information to ALISS. It can really make a difference in helping people connect with meaningful opportunities that improve their health and wellbeing.

If you want to find out more about ALISS, please visit the website or get in touch with a member of the ALISS Team at hello@aliss.org.

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