Letter from the editor: Here for you – but we want to reach out to the isolated too

It is a question we have all been grappling with as individuals, organisations and as a city. It has always been a problem but is obviously much more acute and widespread during lockdown. We are trying to deliver The Star to as many people as possible, so you don’t have to leave your homes, including with our offer of free delivery for the first six weeks. But it isn’t easy with so many newsagents closed. However, we are now reaching out to charities across the city to figure out how we can get copies into the hands of the most vulnerable. I love a challenge but this is a biggie and there are certainly new ones every day in this industry at the minute. If you have an idea for what we should be doing or who might be interested in working with us on reaching those who most need it, please do let me know. I’m always open to suggestions.

On a positive note, I am delighted that Sheffield Talking News is still managing to carry on as strong as ever. Their wonderful team of volunteers is making sure they keep connecting with the city’s blind, keeping them informed no matter what.

We have always known that this city is quite remarkable. The outpouring of support and kindness we are witnessing now will be spoken about by future generations. It is important that we don’t forget that right now, when it matters most. You might be alone in your home but there are so many people right behind you – all you have to do is reach out.

I am usually the first to complain about Sheffield not functioning as well as it could in terms of leadership, pulling together and focusing on what is really important. I’m delighted to say that I couldn’t possibly write that now without being wrong. The bridges that are being built now will help us through these darks days and as we move into a better future.

I would also like to thank those who have emailed and written to me, expressing their concern about some of our regular letter writers who haven’t had anything published in recent weeks. I will do my best to contact them and keep on appealing for everyone to keep putting pen to paper, if only to reassure our wonderfully caring readers that you’re ok.