Day of reflection

As we reach the milestone marker of ‘one year on’ since the start of the pandemic, we are taking the time to pause and look back over the challenges and changes that Covid-19 has brought, writes Zoe Walker.

This morning, we played our documentary One Year On - Delivering through a pandemic on business screens in all of our units, as well as online on myroyalmail.com and Workplace.

The film reflects on the challenges we have faced as a business - in the words of our people, senior leaders and unions.

The film is still live on those channels for later shifts to enjoy. You can watch it by clicking here.

Our commemoration of the anniversary of the start of the pandemic forms part of what will be a national day of reflection.

The first national stay-at-home order was announced by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on March 23 2020.

Many of us will remember what we were doing on that day. And recall the feelings that we had as the pandemic unfolded before our eyes.

Royal Mail workers were given key workers status at the outset of the pandemic. And there was an outpouring of love for the humble British postie - whose role, during the pandemic, turned out to be not such a humble one after all.

The country showed their love with chocolates, painted signs in windows and words of thanks and encouragement from a distance at the doorstep, as Royal Mail colleagues helped to man the UK’s engine room while the majority of the UK patiently remained indoors to ‘Protect the NHS and Save Lives.’

One year on and the UK’s vaccination programme against the virus that brought the country to a halt is well underway.

Cancer charity, Marie Curie, is remembering all those who have died in the pandemic with a minute’s silence and we asked colleagues to reflect too with an applause of appreciation.

People are encouraged to light up their doorsteps tonight at 8pm – with phone lights, candles and torches - to create a nationwide ‘beacon of remembrance’. Buildings and landmarks across the UK will also be lit up in celebration of the lives of those who are no longer with us.

Helpful resources

Guidance is available via the ‘Terminal Illness’ and ‘Death in Service’ guides on PSP, or managers can contact Advice and Support.

You can also:

• Visit the First Class Support website
• Call the 24/7 First Class Support helpline on 0345 266 5060
• Visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk or download the ‘Lifeworks’ app if you would like to talk to somebody about living a healthier lifestyle or any other physical or mental health-related matter
• Call or visit our in-house charity the Rowland Hill Fund on 0345  600 4586 – the fund offers financial aid to colleagues, pensioners and their families in times of need
• Contact Cruse Bereavement Care on 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Contact Ataloss – help for people who have been bereaved, including a search tool for local support and support for young people
• Contact the BAMEStream Bereavement Support Service – support for adults from BAME communities who have been bereaved
• Contact Beyond Words – downloadable resources for people who find it easier to understand pictures than words
• Contact Compassionate Friends, helpline 0345 123 2304  – a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents who have suffered the death of a child or children
• Contact Marie Curie, support line 0800 090 2309 – practical and emotional support for anyone who has been bereaved, whether recently or some time ago
• Contact WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation – a charity for men and women aged under 50 when their partner died
• Guidance is also available in the Terminal Illness and Death in Service guides on PSP
• Managers can also contact Advice and Support.