Salvesen Donation for Learning Difficulties Centre

Children and young people with learning difficulties are to benefit from a new £5 million research and support centre in Edinburgh. The Salvesen Mindroom Centre to "Understand and Resolve Learning Difficulties'' is being set up at the University of Edinburgh in association with the charity Mindroom. Said to be the first of its kind in the UK, the centre is a "unique collaboration'' between the university, Mindroom - a Scottish charity helping children and young people with learning difficulties - and the NHS. Staff at the centre will seek to advance research, diagnosis, assessment and treatment. They will also progress intervention and community outreach for children and young people with learning difficulties. The centre's staff will work closely with key partners in the NHS, Education and Children and Families services. Funding for the virtual centre has been donated to the university by businessman and philanthropist Mr Alastair Salvesen, chairman of Dawnfresh Seafoods, and his wife, Elizabeth. The donation is the second largest personal gift to the university after author JK Rowling donated £10 million to fund the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.