A Glasgow man is transforming lives across the city with his pivotal initiative.

Last year Scott Richards, who hails from Barlanark, set up the East End Walk and Talk Group to create a safe space for men – particularly those with mental health and addiction struggles - to connect with each other and share everything from their feelings to their days.

Meeting once a week for a stroll and blether around Glasgow Green soon included cold-water therapy sessions and a running group – humorously called The Fat Da’s Running Division.

As a result, the men have gone from the ‘schemes’ right into a brotherhood, where they are getting sober, setting future goals – such as running the Glasgow half-marathon and 10ks and forming friendships together.

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Scott, 42, said: “To say this group is working is an understatement. I really do believe that it is changing lives.”

"We are all from schemes. We may not have had the best nurturing growing up, but when we come together as a group, the positive connection and environment we make with one another is mind-blowing.

“We are used to gangs, pub and football environments and bookies, but now we have a space for men to be vulnerable and talk about their positives and negatives.

“Men are coming to this group and the commitment is fully there and what’s amazing is that people who struggle with mental health or come from a background of adversity can find it hard to sustain something. These men are thriving.”

He added: “There is nothing better than seeing someone turn up in their first week with their head down and then six or seven weeks later their head is up and there is a glow in their eyes. We are all about building each other up. We are a wee tribe and a brotherhood.”

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) And for some, the groups – which started with just five men and now have up to 30 attending a week - have even gone so far as to save lives. 

Scott said: “I had a woman who contacted me through Facebook whose son was in a dark place. He tried to commit suicide; he was self-harming, and he was caught up in a lot of cocaine addiction. His mum was at her wits' end and didn’t know where to turn.

“He was so broken it was unbelievable; it was scary.

“But through the group, that wee guy ran the half marathon and is now over 90 days clean.

“His mum texted me and said, ‘Thank you, I’ve got my son back’.”

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However, the group has not only been impactful and positive for those who attend but also for Scott.

Being a recovering addict himself who has proudly turned his life around, Scott described the group as the missing part in his recovery journey.

Scott said: “It’s been good for the group and for me too.

“I’ve had my dark times, but this group has been the missing part of my jigsaw.”

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) In light of his incredible achievements, Scott is proudly a finalist in this year’s Glasgow Times Community Champion awards.

The annual award ceremony which is this year held in association with Glasgow City Council, Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust and St Enoch Centre, celebrates everything great about the city and its people.

Scott won the title of North East Health and Wellbeing Champion in the regional public vote and now goes through to the grand final on December 4.

Other North East winners heading for the grand final include Mount Vernon Primary, for Champion School; and Autisfun for Champion Team.

For the full list of finalists, click HERE

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Still in disbelief over the recognition, Scott said: “Whatever nice person had noticed us for this Community Champion award has reminded us that what we are doing in the community is working.

“It’s been really awesome, and I’m overwhelmed. It’s really nice for our work to be noticed.”