2 November 2026
by Niall Christie
The site in Edinburgh has officially opened
A charity has officially opened its new state-of-the-art National Centre in Edinburgh that aims to make Scotland a global leader in dementia care and prevention.
Alzheimer Scotland’s facility in South Gyle provides direct support to people in the community living with the condition, their families and carers.
It features a Brain Health Hub, focused on prevention and empowering people to look after their brain health. It also provides a safe and welcoming environment for people attending the charity’s Day Opportunities, its Time For You respite care and post-diagnostic support services.
Designed with dementia-friendly principles at its heart, the centre is also home to a cutting-edge Brain Health Learning Centre, bringing the latest innovations in brain health and dementia care to professionals and organisations worldwide.
The learning centre has already reached almost 1,500 people through a series of webinars and in-person study days, with more in the pipeline. Delegates have come from across the UK and as far afield as Australia, Germany and Iceland.
Alzheimer Scotland took ownership of the property at West Point House in September 2024. Over the next 18 months, specialist teams working to gold standard dementia design principles carefully refurbished every element of the building and its interiors. They focused on using sustainable materials to create a safe, accessible and welcoming space.
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s chief executive, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is delighted to officially launch our new National Centre in Edinburgh, which we hope will position Scotland as a leader in dementia innovation, education and best practice.
“We want this centre to become a national resource and a lasting legacy that will benefit families affected by dementia, professionals and organisations across Scotland, the UK and worldwide, for many years to come.
“We worked hard to create a modern, vibrant space in an easily accessible location that can serve a wide range of functions. We’re very pleased with the final result and see huge potential for the future. Not only is it a warm welcoming place to support people in our communities who are affected by dementia, it offers a great environment for our teams to work in.
“We believe the centre also has great potential to bridge the gap between dementia education and practical care. There is a massive void between what people are being taught academically, and the skills they will need in frontline health and social care roles, that we hope to fill.
“We have had great interest and engagement from health professionals and organisations across the world who are keen to learn from us. It is heartening to hear how the advice and training provided through our Brain Health Learning Centre is already inspiring people to make real-world improvements in the way they provide dementia care. And this is just the beginning of our journey.
“We are very grateful to have such strong support from our Minister for Community Care Alison Thewliss, and we give our sincere thanks to the many generous supporters whose donations made this all possible.”
The National Centre replaces Alzheimer Scotland’s previous headquarters in Edinburgh’s Dundee Street and represents a significant further investment in the capital. It follows the opening last year of the charity’s second Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre in nearby Lauriston Castle gardens.
The new centre was made possible by a number of generous legacy donations to the charity from supporters based across Edinburgh.
The facility was officially opened by Alison Thewliss MSP, minister for community care, who was given a tour and met with staff and members of Alzheimer Scotland’s Active Voice advocacy groups for people living with dementia and carers.
Ms Thewliss said: “The Alzheimer Scotland National Centre is an important new resource for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
“Dementia affects the lives of thousands of people across Scotland. Behind every diagnosis is a person with hopes, relationships and memories. Alongside them are families, friends and unpaid carers who provide invaluable support, often over many years.
“I welcome the important role that this new centre will play in supporting efforts to improve understanding of brain health, reduce the risk of dementia where possible, and help ensure that people and families affected by dementia have access to the support they need to live as well as possible for as long as possible.”
Alzheimer Scotland’s new national centre to offer pioneering approach to dementia care - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Weekly Health & Social Care roundup Newsletter Wed 05/11/2026