Jim’s early career in youth and community work in Edinburgh involved a growing interest in theatre as a context for personal and community development. This involved writing and producing work for stage and with the local residents, exploring the themes that affected their lives. This included a pilot soap opera screened at the Edinburgh Filmhouse, and a children’s show described in one review as ‘the best show for under eight year olds in the Fringe’. Has had several short stories and poems published including Sa’ Chap’, ‘The Big Idea’ published in the Eildon Tree new writing journal 2016 and ‘The Gift’ – short story published in Post Box Magazine 2023

Alison worked as a teacher and throughout that time maintained an active interest in developing her visual arts skills, including regular workshops with WASPs, Edinburgh Print Workshop and a recent summer school at the St Ives School of Painting inspired by the work of Joan Eardley. Together they plan to use the time to work collaboratively on ‘Wardrobe’, an illustrated blend of memoir, commentary and fiction.