‘You’re a star’

As part of our ongoing series of blogs from throughout the business, we’ll continue to bring you stories from colleagues who are doing their bit right across the operation, on how things have changed during the current crisis.

Today, we hear from Wolverhampton postman, Lee Sammons.

‘Since lockdown began it has been very difficult not seeing my father,’ said Lee. ‘He’s in his 70s and because he’s in the high-risk category, he’s had to self-isolate. My partner Samantha and I usually enjoy going to concerts and eating out, but when everything was cancelled and closed, we found it difficult. 

‘Samantha works for the NHS at a health centre, so she has been able to carry on working throughout lockdown. The team at Sun Street have worked fantastically throughout the crisis. Like everywhere else, the parcels have obviously increased to higher levels due to people ordering more online, but the team have worked well to sort and deliver everything and have felt safe with the necessary precautions in place, such as anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitiser gels and masks.’

In many ways, Lee’s job hasn’t changed. He still hits the streets each morning delivering letters and parcels, but one thing that he, along with so many colleagues, loves about the job has noticeably reduced – human interaction. 

‘One of the joys of being a postie is being able to stop for a chat and a quick catch-up with customers, who have become such familiar faces over the years,’ said Lee. ‘But lockdown has changed all that. I know everybody on the round. But unless I step back, I can’t really have a conversation with people. You say hello and that’s it. Some customers are no longer coming to the door, or even accepting mail at all such have been the levels of anxiety surrounding coronavirus.’

It’s usually our job to deliver gifts, but Lee has been receiving a few presents of his own on his rounds during lockdown. 

‘People have been giving me chocolate bars, bottles of pop and leaving crisps on the doorstep,’ he said. ‘Everyone tells me to stay safe and look after myself. I had a card off one collection, and a bottle of wine. The staff from the firm involved work from home. I never see them. I always leave their letters in the porch. But a bottle of wine was left in there with a note saying: “You’re a star. Thank you for what you do.” Considering I only see them once or twice a year, that was a nice touch. 

‘I got another present the other day from a guy who said: “I appreciate what you’re doing.” It makes you feel that people appreciate what you’re doing. It feels good when you open the door and see a card and you know that people have taken the time to write to you. It shows that I might be out of sight, but not out of mind.’