Homeless after fire in Wick – Disabled man thanks community hub for its help
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A man with multiple health issues and a learning disability thanked services at the Pulteney Centre in Wick for helping rehome him after a dramatic fire in his flat.
David Mackinnon called on neighbours to help after a frying pan caught fire at his Kennedy Terrace home, destroying his kitchen.
He is grateful for the support he received and wanted to share how Pulteneytown People’s Project Homelink services, based at the Pulteney Centre in Wick, helped him.
"I would like to deeply thank Pulteneytown People’s Project (PPP) for their support and help in my time of need," he said.
David was born with the genetic condition known as Klinefelter syndrome and has a speech impediment which makes it hard for him to communicate face-to-face and over the telephone. During our interview, he typed relevant information into his smartphone which he then shared.
"On Friday, November 17, I had a frying pan fire that set my kitchen on fire," he said.
"I had to go downstairs and ask my neighbour for their help to phone the emergency services as I was in a bad panic. Due to my speech impediment, it is difficult for me to talk by phone."
In the images he shared, David's kitchen appears to be completely ruined by the fire and smoke. Part of the ceiling has collapsed and water damage is evident, likely from firefighters trying to contain the blaze with hoses.
"After my neighbour had called the fire personnel, I called the social work department in Wick and they advised me to phone the Pulteneytown People’s Project for further assistance. I phoned to ask if they had a support worker available to come to my aid, as I didn’t know what to do or anything else, as it never happened to me before."
David said he was "pleasantly surprised" and very happy with how much support and help he received from the services based at the Pulteney Centre.
"They went out of their way to give me food for the weekend and support on that very scary afternoon. They phoned the council to get myself into emergency housing in Thurso, I am deeply thankful for it!"
He said that if he didn’t have the PPP support he would have felt completely lost due to his learning and physical disabilities.
"This makes my life a bit different from a normal person, who doesn’t have any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or a speech impediment," he added.
David has a Homelink support worker based at the community hub, who helped him with temporary accommodation in Thurso and enough food to tide him over after fire services said his home was not habitable. The vulnerable man was unable to access the property for clothing so the Homelink team helped support and reassure him.
Care services manager Megyn Todd, who is based at the Wick centre, said: "The PPP offers a community hub at the Pulteney Centre – providing support and services by the community, for the community.
"Everyone is welcome into our space. Free food is available from our food share and community fridges, and we would really like as many from the community as possible to come along as this helps us to reduce food waste."
PPP development officer Jennifer Harvey said: "Homelink helps its clients manage through any unexpected turn of events in their lives. It is there to help a person feel safe and comfortable through a difficult time."
David said he is now living back in Wick in another temporary home until his flat at Kennedy Terrace has been fixed up after the fire.
"I am so grateful and happy how the Highland Council are helping myself out in this way. Thank you to Pulteney support services for services rendered."
The Homelink service aims to help people in Caithness develop "independent living skills" to help them maintain their tenancies. More information can be found at: pppwick.org.uk, call 01955 608530 or email info@pppwick.org.uk
