Some people, when they hear I live in Buckhaven, screw their faces up.
They assume that because it’s a “deprived” community it must be a terrible place to live with nothing going for it.
But labels can be damaging and rarely tell the whole story.
On Tuesday, the Buckhaven, Denbeath and Muiredge area was ranked as the fifth most deprived area in the whole of Scotland.
According to the figures, revealed in the latest Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) findings, my part of Fife is the most deprived in Courier Country.
The Buckhaven, Denbeath and Muiredge area is in the lowest category for income, employment, health, education and crime. Only in the housing and geographic access domains does the area rank close to the Scottish average.
Yes, there are undoubtedly people who are on their uppers and in need of help, just as there are in every town.
Most often through no fault of their own, they are struggling financially and with other aspects of life but the community is rallying round.
Recognising there is much more to Buckhaven than poverty, groups like Clear and the community council have stepped forward and there is a tonne of good work under way.
Improvements are being made as adversity brings out the best in those with the ability to help.
It’s the kind of community where people know their neighbours and care about how they’re doing and it’s comforting to know that if I ever need a hand, whether it be help with childcare or someone to do my washing, I wouldn’t be stuck for someone to ask.
That counts for a lot, so far from being ashamed of my “deprived” community, I’m proud of the wealth of community spirit in evidence every single day.
