Author Irvine Welsh looked delighted to meet staff and young people on a recent visit to Leith youth charity The Junction, which he is a patron of
It’s an honour for me to be able to support this organisation and indeed this community, both of whom I admire - Irvine Welsh
He's famous for writing about hard men, but Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh revealed his softer side recently when he popped in to visit Leith charity The Junction.
Welsh, who was born in Leith and grew up in Muirhouse but now lives in Chicago, is patron of the youth organisation that supports young people living in north east Edinburgh.
Welsh stopped by for a cup of tea while director Sam Anderson updated him with details of the work the charity has been doing for young people in the Leith community since his last visit. Over the last few years, The Juction has expanded its services, including moving to a new premises.
A couple of youth advisors, including Danielle pictured below, also met Welsh and got the chance to get copies of his new book The Blade Artist signed.
Anderson said: "The Junction team are all very grateful to Irvine for taking time out his busy schedule to meet with us and for his ongoing support throughout the year with our various projects."
Welsh added: “It’s an honour for me to be able to support this organisation and indeed this community, both of whom I admire.
“The Junction supports young people at various stages and times as they manoeuvre through differing life choices, whether these be about relationships, family, school, sexuality, health or wellbeing. Omnipresent, The Junction is there at the heart of the community offering education, support and its own distinctive brand of loyalty and determination to do the best it can for local young people.”
Established in 2005, The Junction is an award-winning organisation working with young people in Leith and north east Edinburgh aged 12 to 21. The Junction works hard to promote long-term prevention of health problems, to raise young people’s awareness and self-esteem and to enable them to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.
