Methven: You’re simply the best
Post Office branch comes out top in awards list
Methven Post Office has won an award for the amazing way it has helped the local community keep going during the testing times of the coronavirus.
The Perthshire village branch was a finalist in the community engagement category of the Post Office’s We’re Stronger Together awards Scotland for service during COVID-19.
Post Office chief executive Nick Read invited Scottish postmasters and postmistresses to share their experience of running their branch during the pandemic.
The great work by Methven sub-postmistress Catherine Scott and her three helpers has been highlighted as a national example of how Post Office branches being the hub of village activity counted over the past three months.
Catherine’s small team at 43-45 Main Street in Methven ran a delivery service to vulnerable residents and ensured each housebound person had a dedicated person to help them stay connected and get all the services and supplies they needed during lockdown.
Helen Allan, Harriet Connor and Catherine’s son Kenneth Scott, ensured shielding residents got food safely taken to their doorsteps and since the pharmacy did not deliver, Catherine took on the medication drop-offs herself.
“It’s been busier than Christmas,” Catherine, who has been Methven’s subpostmistress for 14 years, told the PA. “I hope it will quieten down a bit soon.
“We are still looking after three residents who have to keep shielding until at least the end of this month.
“During lockdown we were taking ten or more deliveries of essentials out every day and collecting post and parcels.
“We were delighted to discover our area manager had nominated us for an award. We got a plaque presented to us on Wednesday.
“Methven was one of five finalists, which is pretty good as there are around 1500 Post Office branches in Scotland.”
Post Office area manager Susan McMahon, said: “The team at Methven have been nominated for our community engagement award for starting a delivery service to help their most vulnerable customers in the community.
“They organised a leaflet drop to vulnerable customers to ensure they knew support was genuine and not a scam, also ensuring that all vulnerable customers had a dedicated person to help”.
Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “I have heard many inspiring stories of postmasters going the extra mile. Well done Methven.
“The next few weeks and months will be a critical period as we try and return to a sense of normality. Post Office branches have a vital role to play in supporting their customers and communities.”