Coming to your home in the very near future…
Every home in Ireland will receive two new postage-paid postcards courtesy of An Post next week.
The postcards proved a big hit in Ireland during the first lockdown last March, with An Post hoping that they might help brighten up what has been a pretty bleak January during lockdown number three this time around.
Every home in Ireland will receive two postcards, one with a printed design and one which will be blank so it can be decorated by An Post customers of all ages.
Most importantly, the postcards – five million of them in total – are free and come with postage paid, for free delivery to whomever it is wished to send them to. Postcards will be delivered to homes, homeless hubs, nursing/care homes and prisons nationwide from next Wednesday, 20 January.
Commenting on the return of the free postcard initiative, Julie Gil of An Post said: “As we continue to support each other by staying apart and staying home, it’s the right time to Send Love to family and friends, particularly those who are living alone.
“We’re delighted to present our second free set of postcards for customers, and this time we are inviting everyone to enjoy making their greeting extra-special with their own personal design.
“We saw wonderful artwork on the postcards last year so we’re giving customers of all ages the space to be even more creative this time around. Your messages of love and solidarity will brighten people’s homes over the weeks ahead.”
An Post, who revealed earlier this week that many packages sent both to and from Ireland in December are still in transit, will also be continuing the following community focus supports for customers while public health restrictions remain in place.
Check-In: An Post delivery staff will continue to check in regularly with ‘seniors’ along their postal routes. Family members of older or vulnerable customers can register for a specific free check-in for a relative at anpost.com/CommunityFocus.
Postage Pick-Up for Older/Vulnerable customers: If older or vulnerable customers are unable to get out to buy stamps a card or letter, their postperson will pick up the item and An Post will cover the postage.
Newspaper Delivery: An Post will provide same-day delivery of newspapers for older and vulnerable customers Monday to Friday. Customers can find out more at anpost.com/CommunityFocus or newsdelivery.ie.
Temporary Agent for Post Office Social Welfare Collection: Customers can nominate a Temporary Agent to collect social welfare payments (eg Pension) at the Post Office.
Forms are available at all post offices and anpost.com/Communityfocus. 9am – 11am on Friday is the dedicated period for seniors to collect payments and do other post office business.
Postage to and from Nursing and Care Homes: An Post is providing free postage on letters to and from residents of Nursing and Care homes in the State. By writing FREEPOST where the stamp normally goes, An Post will carry cards and letters to residents without a postage stamp.
An Post Commerce is extending its support for Irish SMEs. SME discounts on parcel labels are being increased from 25% to 34% with immediate effect. Details at anpost.com/commerce.
“Irish Postmen and Postwomen will continue to provide Community Focus supports including check-ins, newspaper delivery and free post for nursing home residents so that we can all stay connected while staying apart,” Gil said.
“We’ll leave no-one behind.”
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