90,000 Scots are living with dementia.. and it's rising.

Now is the time to fund the visionaries and make brain health a national priority

- Monica Lennon

WHAT a week! Honestly, sometimes politics can feel like a relentless cycle of doom and gloom, but this week I had the immense pleasure of attending an event that genuinely felt like a moment of hope and vision for Scotland.

I was in Motherwell for the New College Lanarkshire launch of its Brain Health Scotland Centre for Health and Social Care, a true beacon of innovation, and it frankly set the standard for every other institution—and government—in the world.

The atmosphere was electric. This wasn't just a PR exercise; it was the birth of a movement. New College Lanarkshire cemented its commitment to tackling one of the biggest public health challenges of our time by signing a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding with Alzheimer Scotland.

This powerful declaration shows that our educational institutions can and must be at the forefront of preventative health and life-changing learning.

The core focus is clear: empowering people to protect their brain health and reduce their risk of dementia.

This is hugely significant because the science is undeniable. The World Health Organisation and extensive studies indicate that up to 45 per cent of dementia cases worldwide may be preventable through lifestyle changes.

Considering that 90,000 Scots are currently living with dementia, and cases are projected to increase by 50 per cent over the next decade, this preventative approach is essential.