Who We Are – Paul

West Swindon postman Paul Gibbons thinks it’s really important that colleagues play a central role in their communities – and not just during the pandemic.

Recently, Paul was presented with an award and recognised as a community champion for the kindness he has shown a vulnerable customer through Covid-19.

Our Who We Are campaign celebrates our key workers - connecting communities, before and during the Covid-19 pandemic – and beyond as well. We’re recognising people at the heart of our business, across the pipeline, as they describe who they are in their own words.

We want to receive nominations from around the Group for deserving colleagues to be recognised in this way. Send yours to communications@royalmail.com.

One of Paul’s customers, Robin Page, has terminal cancer and was therefore forced to isolate during lockdown.

‘Robin lives on my walk in Middleleaze,’ Paul said. ‘I hadn’t seen him for a few weeks, so I knocked on his door to ask if he needed help with anything while he wasn’t able to go outside. He’s such a nice gentleman and has no immediate family close by.’

From doing his shopping to dropping off vital medication, Paul helped Robin through many weeks of self-isolation.

Robin was so impressed with Paul’s compassion and kindness that he wrote to Robert Buckland, Member of Parliament for South Swindon since May 2010, to praise Paul, saying: ‘He is a life-saver protecting me from Covid-19.’

Press play to hear what Paul had to say about helping his customer and friend.

On Friday 18 September, Paul was presented with a Community Champion Certificate. ‘I would like to thank Paul for all of his hard work and dedication at this time, Swindon is lucky to have you!’ said Robert Buckland MP at the presentation.

‘I would also like to pay tribute and thank all of the hard-working postal workers here in the town. You have played a vital role at this difficult time and kept our postal service going.’

Paul has also been interviewed on BBC Radio Wiltshire and nominated for a Make a Difference Superstar Award for his efforts.

‘It’s nice to know I’ve made a difference,’ he said. ‘But I’ve not done it for any sort of praise. I wouldn’t like to think of anyone struggling on their own. It’s just who I am 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.’

‘I love my job. I love everything that Royal Mail gives me. We make a physical difference because we interact with people on a daily basis, delivering everything from face cream to life-saving medication.

‘We’re all about delivering a great service and keeping people in all our communities happy.’