Graham Ogilvy

Others will be working with homeless people, the elderly and the vulnerable — as they do, quietly and unseen, on a daily basis all year round.

Where possible, housing professionals are working from home and social distancing. But for many of our colleagues in the front line that will not be possible and, as with the health professionals on whom we rely, our thoughts are with them.

Coronavirus will be defeated by our health professionals, scientists and emergency services. But it will also be defeated by our communities acting responsibly and caring for their most vulnerable members.

Housing associations and their dedicated staffs are right at the heart of some of our most fragile communities. Indeed, for decades they have been building and strengthening the very communities we now rely upon and appreciate as we focus on the important things in life.

For 19 years Scottish Housing News has been proud to be by your side reporting daily not only on how you are building new homes and meeting new challenges but also how you are transforming lives and creating opportunities for our people.

In the difficult weeks and months to come we will continue to be by your side - and on your side.

We’ll continue to serve the social housing sector as we always have and I hope that we can provide a small ray of light in the dark days ahead.

Our editor Kieran Findlay can be contacted on kieran@scottishnews.com. Please be sure to let us have all your news and home-working tips. Upbeat moments and heartwarming stories especially welcome!

Jeff Anderson, our redoubtable advertising manager remains available on 01292 479443 and jeff@scottishnews.com.

We may well emerge from this crisis sadder. But we will be stronger.

I thank you all for your support over many years and making Scottish Housing News such a success.

And, please, stay safe.

Graham Ogilvy

Managing editor

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.