Every copy sold is supporting Salvesen Mindroom Centre’s mission
As charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) marks its 25th anniversary, founder Sophie Dow launches the English edition of her internationally acclaimed memoir, with proceeds from the limited 1,000-copy run helping ensure “No Mind Is Left Behind.”
What happens when a Mother refuses to accept a broken system? For journalist, writer and Mum Sophie Dow, the answer was to change it.
Now, twenty-five years after co-founding Scottish neurodiversity charity Mindroom following the birth of her daughter Annie, Dow is publishing the first English-language edition of her acclaimed memoir, “When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script”, an extraordinary true story of love, resilience and one family’s determination to create a better future for neurodivergent people.
Inspired by Annie, who lives with a unique and rare chromosome deletion now informally known as “Annie’s syndrome”, the book tells the deeply personal story behind a decision that has gone on to transform the lives of thousands and thousands of families.
The book was officially launched at an intimate soft launch on Wednesday, 9 July, as part of Mindroom’s 25th anniversary celebrations. In a special limited-edition print run of just 1,000 copies, every penny of proceeds will support the charity’s work with neurodivergent children, young people and families across Scotland.
Originally published in Sweden in 2018 as “När livet inte följer manus”, the memoir received widespread critical acclaim and has now been updated and translated into English by Sophie and her husband Robin for the first time.
At the heart of both the charity and the book is a simple belief: society should stop focusing on what neurodivergent people cannot do and instead recognise what they can.
‘When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script’ is an inspiring, personal detective drama written with humour, passion and a determined focus on the question: Why aren’t all minds valued equally?
Each chapter is illustrated with artwork created by Annie herself, making the book not only a memoir but also a celebration of creativity, individuality and the many ways people experience the world.
Author Sophie Dow says:“When Annie was born, everything changed. We found ourselves navigating systems that often focused on limitations rather than possibilities. I found that totally unacceptable.
“We are certainly not alone. There are thousands of other families out there in the same situation. This is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. So, Salvesen Mindroom Centre was founded 25 years ago to ensure that no mind is left behind.”
That vision has flourished into an influential organisation with a trusted reputation for advice, advocacy and practical support for neurodivergent children, young people, families and people in the workplace across Scotland and beyond, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.
Photography for Salvesen Mindroom Centre in Leith Edinburgh
Alan Thornburrow, CEO for Mindroom, continues:“In 2025 alone, Mindroom supported 2,172 families. We received 1,801 NEW enquiries over the course of this year alone and trained 3,546 delegates. Since 2020, we have experienced a 309% increase in the number of families seeking support.
“Sophie and Robin’s story is one I recognise, and I know so many other parents and carers will too. Every day, families tell us about the challenges of navigating fragmented systems while trying to secure the understanding and support their children need.
“That’s why we work so hard to help parents, carers, children and young people – as well as employers and employees – find a path through those barriers and access the support that enables everyone to feel valued and thrive.”
As Mindroom celebrates 25 years, the publication represents both a reflection on how far understanding of neurodiversity has come and a call for much more to be done.
Every copy sold will help fund the charity’s continuing work to ensure neurodivergent children, young people and neurodivergent people in the workplace have equal opportunities to thrive.
As demand for its services continues to grow, Mindroom also works alongside leading researchers to deepen understanding of neurodiversity and help drive lasting change.
Tracy Gilbert MP has called on Rockstar Games, creator of Grand Theft Auto, to recognise the Rockstar Game Workers Union, urging the company to give workers an independent voice in their workplace.
In a letter to Rockstar Games, Tracy highlighted the importance of trade unions in protecting workers’ rights and called on the company to show leadership by voluntarily recognising the union.
Rockstar Games is one of the world’s leading video game developers, and Gilbert said that as an industry leader, the company has an opportunity to set an example for workers’ rights across the games sector.
Only one other UK games studio currently recognises a trade union, and Gilbert has urged Rockstar to take steps to progress discussions with workers and their representatives.
If Rockstar does not voluntarily recognise the union, Tracy has pledged her support for the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain’s (IWGB) application for statutory recognition through the Central Arbitration Committee.
Tracy Gilbert MP said: “I strongly support the work of trade unions and believe that every worker should have an independent voice in their workplace. Rockstar Games has an opportunity to show leadership and recognise the union representing its workers.
“I look forward to hearing what steps Rockstar is taking to move discussions forward.”
“Leith has persevered for 900 years, now is its time to step into the limelight!”
Fifteen towns shortlisted for the first UK Town of Culture competition
Shortlisted towns set to receive £60,000 to work on their full bids with the winner announced early next year
Shortlist selected from almost 400 applications
Fifteen towns have been shortlisted to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, after nearly 400 places from across the country entered the landmark competition.And one of them is LEITH!
This comes as the government confirmed that it has received an incredible 398 bids from over 400 hopeful towns as part of the competition, demonstrating that culture belongs everywhere and shining a light on the many towns across the UK that are vital to our national story.
Fifteen towns will now compete for the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 title. The shortlisted towns are:
Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward
Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot
Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham
Shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 each to develop their full bids, which will be assessed by the independent judging panel. One finalist will then be selected from each category with the overall winner being announced early next year.
The UK Town of Culture competition is part of the government’s ambition to restore pride in local areas in every part of Britain and deliver a decade of national renewal, following the announcement of the Pride in Place Programme last year.
Throughout this year, this competition – together with the UK City of Culture 2029 competition – will continue to shine a light on local visions and voices from across the UK to help encourage increased local investment, create a lasting sense of pride, and open doors to the arts and culture for everyone.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition.
“The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.
“I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Congratulations to Port Talbot and Pontypridd on being shortlisted for the UK’s Town of Culture. Both places have a rich heritage that should be celebrated – and I am so pleased to see them get the recognition they deserve.
“Port Talbot is renowned for producing some of the greatest actors in the country, all of whom have been inspired by the industrial heritage of the area. Pontypridd is the home of the composers of the Welsh National Anthem, which has been proudly sung at national events for many decades.
“I would love to see a Welsh town be crowned the UK’s Town of Culture and I wish both of them every success with their bids.”
Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Minister for Scotland said: “Scotland has an extraordinary cultural heritage, and the presence of three Scottish towns on the UK Town of Culture competition shortlist is a testament to the richness and diversity of communities across the country.
“From island life to historic port towns, each of these places has a unique story to tell, and I know that each bid reflects the genuine passion and pride that local people have for where they live.
“The UK Government is committed to ensuring that culture belongs everywhere, and I’m delighted that Scottish towns are so strongly represented.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: “Congratulations to Strabane, which has secured a place in the final UK Town of Culture shortlist, from among 400 applicants.
“I know that Strabane will take this opportunity to shine, and I wish the town good luck as they finalise their bid.”
The shortlisted towns were recommended by the independent panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond. The other members of the panel were selected to ensure a broad range of cultural experience and regional diversity. The panel members are:
Sir Phil Redmond (Chair)
Ruth Hollis OBE (Deputy Chair)
Ian Bancroft (Wales Representative)
Kristel Miller (Northern Ireland Representative)
Katy Shaw
Jim Tough (Scotland Representative)
Adipat Virdi
Ian Warren (England Representative)
Paula Williams
Chair of the independent panel, Sir Phil Redmond said: “The response to the competition has been, to say the least, overwhelming, quite literally from all four corners of the UK.
“It has been fantastic that nearly 400 towns have come forward, sharing their sense of pride, ambition and desire to demonstrate how much they have, and continue to contribute to our national story.
“That of course has made making the decision on the shortlist itself much more difficult, never mind the actual winners.
“I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn’t manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK’s cultural landscape. I’d like to thank them all for that.”
The shortlisted places will now work to finalise their bids, which will explain how they would use culture to celebrate their town, showcase original storytelling, empower their local communities and provide more accessible culture in their local area.
From these fifteen shortlisted towns, the independent panel will recommend the best small, medium and large town from the full applications they receive.
An overall winner from these three towns will be designated the “UK Town of Culture 2028” and receive a £3 million grant from the government. The additional two towns, from the other two categories, will be selected as finalists and receive £250,000 each to carry out part of their programme.
The winner will go on to host a season of culture in 2028, which will help them to deliver a long-lasting legacy of cultural participation and local pride as has been seen in previous winners of the UK City of Culture competition; Derry-Londonderry 2013, Hull 2017, Coventry 2021 and Bradford 2025.
The government’s ambition behind the UK Town of Culture competition is for towns to reap similar benefits from the experience of bidding and encouraging local residents to get involved in cultural events to celebrate their town.
The benefits of cultural investment are clear. Previous UK City of Culture holders – Derry-Londonderry, Hull and Coventry – have attracted more than £1 billion in additional investment and welcomed an estimated 2 million visitors, while recent audience research from Bradford 2025 shows more than 80 per cent of attendees felt events increased their pride in the place they live.
Investment in UK City of Culture and UK Town of Culture not only supports the delivery of exciting cultural programmes but brings a legacy of cultural regeneration.
These programmes will help to attract more visitors to places for years to come as well as encouraging creativity and skills development across local areas, growing the local economy and providing more opportunities for local people to engage with arts and culture.
In order to recognise all the towns that have bid in the first-ever UK Town of Culture competition, every bidding town was invited to submit a postcard to celebrate their bid. Last week these postcards were shared across social media and showcased by National Museums Liverpool in a digital display to celebrate each and every town that has participated in the competition. The postcards will remain within the National Museums Liverpool’s national collection.
Further guidance for shortlisted towns to prepare their full bids for the final stage of the competition will be made available shortly.
Susie Gray and Jenny Mungall, Bid Directors for Leith 2028, said: ““To be shortlisted as one of just 15 places from almost 400 applications is a huge moment for Leith and a testament to the passion, creativity and commitment of everyone who has been involved in shaping this bid.
“This has been a genuinely community-led effort from day one, built by people who care deeply about Leith and are ambitious for its future.
“From the very beginning, we felt strongly that this had to be about more than a competition. Whatever the outcome, we wanted this to be the start of something special; new partnerships, fresh ambitions and a shared sense of what we can achieve together.
“We are thrilled that the judges have also seen that potential in Leith.
“One of the most moving moments came when we saw the map of entries from across the UK. It was a reminder that in towns and communities everywhere, people are imagining better futures and recognising the role that culture can play in shaping them. We wish every place that put itself forward the very best in turning those ambitions into reality.
“Leith has a remarkable story to tell as it approaches its 900th anniversary in 2028. We’re excited to take the next step and continue making the case for why this proud, creative and distinctive place should become the UK’s first Town of Culture.
“Leith has persevered for 900 years, now is its time to step into the limelight!”
Welcoming the announcement, Tracy Gilbert MP said: “Leith is a place like no other, with a proud history, a vibrant cultural scene and an incredible community spirit.
“I want to thank every local organisation, community group and individual who has given their time, energy and passion to help bring this bid together. The dedication, creativity and commitment shown by everyone involved has been so remarkable.
“Being shortlisted as one of only 15 towns from almost 400 applications is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work of everyone who has played a part in telling Leith’s story.
“I am incredibly proud of Leith and delighted to see the community’s efforts recognised on a national stage. I look forward to continuing to support the bid as it moves forward to the next stage.”
Leith has been named among the first-ever UK Town of Culture 2028 shortlist, marking a major achievement for the community and everyone who has helped showcase the area’s unique history, creativity and culture.
The UK Town of Culture is a new UK Government initiative celebrating the contribution towns make to the UK’s cultural identity. The inaugural competition attracted 398 applications from across the UK, with just 15 towns selected to progress to the next stage.
Tracy Gilbert MP has welcomed the announcement and praised the dedication of local organisations, community groups and residents who worked together to develop Leith’s bid.
Tracy Gilbert MP said:“Leith is a place like no other, with a proud history, a vibrant cultural scene and an incredible community spirit.
“I want to thank every local organisation, community group and individual who has given their time, energy and passion to help bring this bid together. The dedication, creativity and commitment shown by everyone involved has been so remarkable.
“Being shortlisted as one of only 15 towns from almost 400 applications is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work of everyone who has played a part in telling Leith’s story.
“I am incredibly proud of Leith and delighted to see the community’s efforts recognised on a national stage. I look forward to continuing to support the bid as it moves forward to the next stage.”
As a shortlisted town, Leith will now move forward in the competition and receive a £60,000 bid development grant to help strengthen its application.
Join the SABS and Hibernian Community Foundation monthly Pitch to Plate – Multicultural Meal, bringing together local residents, New Scots, people from all backgrounds, those experiencing difficult circumstances and members of our wider community for an evening of good food, friendship and connection.
Enjoy homemade curries, rice, salad, and naan bread
Fresh fruit kindly sponsored by the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Scotland
Free Entry | All Welcome | No Booking Required
Everyone is warmly welcome to share a meal, meet new people, and celebrate the rich diversity of our community. Whether you are coming along for the food, the company, or simply to connect with others, we would be delighted to see you there.
We would be grateful if you could help spread the word to anyone who may benefit from a warm meal and a welcoming community atmosphere.
A man has been arrested following a fatal incident in Leith.
Emergency services were called to a disturbance outside Cables Wynd House – the Banana Flats – at around 9.40 last night (Sunday 5 July).
A man was found with serious injuries and he died at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Police confirmed a 33-year-old man has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.40pm on Sunday, July 5, 2026, police received a report of a disturbance outside Cables Wynd House, Edinburgh.
“Officers attended and a man was found with serious injuries. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died a short time later.
“A 33-year-old man has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”
Family-run restaurant group has donated £8,000 to local charities and initiatives over an eight month period
A charitable initiative launched by the family-run Vittoria Hospitality Group has donated over £8,000 in its first six months, supporting a range of Edinburgh-based charities and community organisations.
Established in November 2025 as part of the Vittoria Group’s 55th anniversary celebrations, the Giving Back programme supports grassroots organisations making a difference across the capital, helping people living with disabilities, those facing homelessness, and local young people.
Unlike traditional grant programmes, Giving Back focuses on funding specific items requested by organisations, ensuring donations have a direct and lasting impact.
In its first eight months, the initiative has provided vital, targeted support across the city, including specialist technology and sensory equipment provided to young people with complex or additional support needs at Teens+, Prospect Bank School, and Braidburn Special School.
The fund has also delivered essential supplies for women experiencing homelessness via Sparkle Sisters, supported youth development and literacy resources for the Pilmeny Development Trust and Craigmillar Literacy Trust, as well as sponsoring new sports kits for Redpath Albion FC and vital funding for Muirfield Riding Therapy.
In addition to the £8,000 donated by Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of its suppliers, JB Foods Scotland, contributed a further £1,000 in December.
Leandro Crolla, Director of Vittoria Hospitality Group, said:“When we launched Giving Back, we wanted to create something that would make a real difference to local organisations doing incredible work in our communities.
“Seeing the reaction from the charities, schools and groups we’ve supported has shown us how even relatively small donations can have a significant impact when they reach the right people.
“Edinburgh has supported our family and our business for more than 55 years. This programme is our way of saying thank you and helping strengthen the communities that have been part of our story for generations.”
Talking about the donation of a new football kit for the entire team, Bryan Maughan, coach at Redpath Albion FC, said: “The boys and parents loved them. We wore the matchday kits for the first time at Currie, and they certainly brought us luck as we secured a great 6–2 win in monsoon-like conditions.
“The boys haven’t forgotten the offer of a breakfast roll either, and we’re all looking forward to the visit.”
The initiative is led by the Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of Edinburgh’s longest-established family-run hospitality businesses, now in its fourth generation of family ownership.
Recipients of the donation are chosen through a monthly staff vote, giving employees across the group’s venues the opportunity to nominate and support causes close to their hearts. Schools, charities, youth groups and community organisations across Edinburgh are encouraged to apply for future rounds of support.
For more information or to nominate a local cause, contact:
Excited to be screening Operation Recomply in July.
Operation Recomply, the name given to the counter-terror policing operation, is an independent documentary which follows the events surrounding the Filton 25 case: a group of activists who entered an Elbit Systems facility in Filton, exposing Israeli drones being manufactured on British soil.
Told through the eyes of Filton 25’s loved ones, the film documents their fight for justice as the state escalates its crackdown on the pro-Palestine movement.
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 celebrates 30 years of the iconic Scottish film with special event screening and club night
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 celebrates 30 years of the iconic Scottish film with special event screening and club night
A special screening of the film with live commentary from cast and crew will be followed by DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson at Leith Theatre
EIFF will run from 13 – 19 August 2026
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), Assembly Festival and Leith Theatre are excited to announce a special 30th anniversary celebration of Danny Boyle’s iconic film Trainspotting with a screening with live commentary from cast and crew followed by a major club night celebrating the iconic soundtrack on Friday 14 August 2026.
Starring Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, Shirley Henderson and James Cosmo, written by Irvine Welsh and John Hodge and produced by Andrew Macdonald, Trainspotting remains an audacious, innovative, era-defining and darkly funny film about addiction and survival in the heart of Leith in the capital of Scotland.
Based on Irvine Welsh’s incendiary Leith-set novel, the film celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and will be marked by a special live commentary screening in the historic Leith Theatre with cast and crew sharing exclusive behind the scenes anecdotes about the making of the film.
This special screening will be followed by a club night with DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson, whose music as part of Underworld is synonymous with the film and its iconic soundtrack.
Leith Theatre recently signed a 50-year lease and secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund following a 20-year campaign to help secure the future of the renowned Grade B listed building.
EIFF’s 79th edition runs from 13 – 19 August 2026.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “Ask anyone about Scotland and cinema and the first things they would likely think of would be Sean Connery and Trainspotting.
“For the past couple of years we have kept the memory and legacy of Connery in Edinburgh alive with our features competition, and now this year we are thrilled to finally honour the most iconic Scottish film ever made in the place where it originated and with a new spin.
“The opportunity to hear directly from the people who made the film followed by the thrill of celebrating that iconic soundtrack together should make for a night for the ages. That we get to do all that in a venue as full of promise and renewal as Leith Theatre is the icing on the cake. We cannot wait!”
Andrew Macdonald, Producer of Trainspotting said:“Hard to believe it, but it has indeed been thirty years since we made Trainspotting, and I am delighted that it is heading back to Leith where the whole story began, to celebrate this big anniversary.
“Big thanks to the teams at Assembly Festival, Leith Theatre and of course Edinburgh International Film Festival for making this all happen.
“It is going to be a very special night.”
Farhana Bhula, Director of Film4 said: “Thirty years after its release, Trainspotting remains one of the defining films of British cinema.
“Film4 is incredibly proud to have been part of bringing this landmark film to the screen, and we’re delighted to join Edinburgh International Film Festival in celebrating its legacy where it all began.
“Returning Trainspotting to Leith for this special anniversary is a fitting tribute to a film that continues to shape the cultural conversation three decades on.”
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said:“Thirty years on, Trainspotting remains as one of the most influential cultural stories to come out of Leith and continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Edinburgh International Film Festival to welcome audiences for an evening that brings together film, live commentary, music and some of the people who helped shape one of Scotland’s most iconic films.
“This is an event that showcases the breadth of experiences Leith Theatre can host and highlights the growing role the venue is playing within Edinburgh’s cultural landscape.
“If there was ever a place to celebrate Trainspotting’s legacy, it has to be here.”
Dani Rae, Managing Director of Assembly Festival:“We are delighted to be working alongside the team at EIFF and Leith Theatre to bring Trainspotting back to the heart of Leith for a night to remember.
“Assembly Festival have been producing events in this city for over 40 years and are looking forward to adding to the story of the hallowed halls of such an iconic building, with the scenes of such an iconic moment from the city’s rich cultural history.”
Following the EIFF premiere, Trainspotting will be re-released by Park Circus in UK & Ireland cinemas from 21 August and thereafter internationally. The re-release from Park Circus will also screen as part of Rip it Up, the BFI Film Audience Network’s UK-wide film season that explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak.
Press and Industry accreditation is now open for this year’s Festival and available to apply for via the EIFF website.
Cables Wynd House and Linksview House are two Category A listed Brutalist towers in Edinburgh’s Leith Conservation Area, providing 310 homes, over 98% for social rent.
Now over 60 years old, they face the combined challenge of meeting contemporary living standards, complying with ambitious social housing policy, and preserving their national heritage significance.
This project demonstrates how deep retrofit can extend the life of nationally important housing while delivering safe, warm and comfortable homes. A whole-block, EnerPHit-informed approach reduces space heating demand by 88% and overall energy use by 80% per dwelling, enabling the transition from gas to direct electric heating whilst eliminating fuel poverty.
The project responds to the City of Edinburgh Council’s ambition for transformational change and sustainable regeneration.
It takes a holistic view of energy, comfort, health, safety and placemaking — putting people at the heart of retrofit. Residents’ lived experience has shaped the brief through our Home Standard Tool, establishing priorities that inform both design and delivery.
This ongoing engagement ensures improvements respond directly to how homes are used and experienced, while maintaining community continuity throughout.
A whole-block, fabric-first strategy upgrades performance, reduces energy demand and enables a transition away from fossil fuels while conserving the buildings’ architectural identity. An EnerPHit-informed approach, supported by detailed modelling and a bespoke Energy and Carbon Cost tool, balances carbon reduction, affordability, buildability and resident impact.
From a conservation perspective, the approach recognises that the buildings’ significance lies in their overall form and presence — the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Defining elements, including exposed aggregate concrete cladding, are retained and repaired, with most fabric upgrades delivered internally to protect the façades.
A repair-led approach integrates insulation, improved ventilation and new services, demonstrating that nationally significant heritage can achieve high environmental performance without compromising identity while retaining embodied carbon.
The project addresses long-standing challenges including thermal bridging, poor airtightness and outdated services. Improvements to ventilation, fire safety and access are integrated alongside fabric upgrades, ensuring homes are warm, healthy and safe. At ground level, new community hubs and improved entrances strengthen connections between residents and their surroundings.
Phasing has been considered from an early stage to allow residents to remain within the buildings throughout the works, recognising the importance of social continuity. By treating comfort, affordability and dignity as performance criteria alongside energy and carbon, the project demonstrates how retrofit can be part of a just transition.
Tuesday 7th July 2026
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enjoy homemade curries, rice, salad, and naan bread
Fresh fruit kindly sponsored by the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Scotland
Free Entry | All Welcome | No Booking Required
7pm (doors open at 6.40pm)
£6.50 – £10
