Wick Tourist Office

[Fran]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_6_8.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZN) Now that the old tourist office in Wick, presently called turnaround, is to be vacated, wouldnt it be ideal to make it back to the tourist office. this was the ideal place for visitors and was in a central position for everyone. Also ideal for the disabled and elderly who cannot manage the stairs in Mcallans shop where the tourist office is at present.
What do you think?





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[Bill Fernie]

Can you say where you got the info that Turnaround building is to close.

[Murdina Bug]

I think Fran may be referring to the fact that the group which operates from the Turnaround building have lost their funding and are no longer able to operate. It was in the Courier or Groat last week but I don't have access to them at the moment so can't check. Must admit that I thought the same as she said - that they would therefore be vacating the building.

[cuddlepop]

If its true that they are having to vacate the building because of lack of funding its a disgrace.Once again a valuable service has been set up,used and then withdrawn.Well will these faceless bueracrats realise its cruel to do this.You'd be as well not starting the service[evil]
Back to Fran's post.
Yes it would be a better location than the one at present.I just wish it was under better circumstances[disgust]

[Fran]

the article was on the front page of the John o'Groat journal October 13th."Loss of counselling service disappointing".
The demise of Caithness Council on Alcohol follows a review undertaken by NHS Highland which resulted in it and the Highland Council removing its funding.
It latterly operated from the Turnaround centre in Whitechapel Road.The full-time co-ordinator was made redundant and the four volunteer consellors made surplus to requirements.
The job can be done by the community psychiatric nursing service..
(The above are quotes from the paper)

[Bill Fernie]

Turnaround was not just about the Council on Alcohol who rented an office in the building. Has the other occupant of the building also ceased? There certainly was another organisation working from the building at one time but I am not sure if they are still there.

Also a lot of work on alcohol was the work of the Caithness Drug and Alcohol Forum and not just the Council on Alcohol - See http://www.hdaat.org.uk/drugs-alcohol-scotland/communities/detail/22/

There is unfortunately a lack of clear thinking on the topic due to a lack of all of the details and unfortunately due to the sensitive nature of this I cannot go into it here. Funding was not the main concern on this occasion and NHS Highland and the council are to look at the alcohol services available in the county.

[badger]

Along with many others, I always thought this was an unsuitable building for Turnaround - far too public. A drop in centre for people with problems needs to have a discreet entrance, not one that is visible to all. It's very sad, and disgraceful, if yet another much needed organisation has lost funding but it should never have been located there, just as the Info. office should never have been closed. Too much to hope that anyone will see sense and reinstate it there - apart from anything else they would have to admit they were wrong and when did that ever happen? [disgust]