KEY WORKERS are keeping the world going during these extremely challenging times.

We see NHS workers and emergency services getting applauded on our streets but there are lots of lesser known local heroes who are working just as hard to keep us all safe and well.

Delivery drivers and postal workers are facing a higher work load than ever. One postie compared it to Christmas, but the atmosphere is tense not jovial.

We caught up with Lisa Drinkwater who has been delivering mail in Worcestershire for 22 years, to see what it is like to be a postie during the current pandemic.

The mum to five year old Grace starts her day at 4:30am. She said: "I’m probably an unusual postie because we have a farm so I get up at 4.30am to take care of the animals.

"My daughter wakes up at 6.00am; so I get her sorted and leave her with my wonderful mum.

"I’m lucky I get to keep the postal van at home and get into Worcester for about 6.45am.

"The Royal Mail office is a very friendly place with great people, and we have a good laugh every morning. We have plenty of gloves, hand sanitizer and face masks so we collect them wash our hands and go and load up the van.

"We are very busy at the moment - online shopping has hugely increased with people self-isolating.

"Now we are in lockdown, we help families keep in touch with cards and letters - which is even more important now people can’t meet. It has been lovely to see handwritten letters again.

"The local retirement home, Albion Lodge, has set up a writers’ group for their residents and it’s had a brilliant response."

Like all of us Lisa has had to make changes to the way she works.

She said: "We have had to change the way we deliver the mail. We have regular updates from our managers and are social distancing by keeping two metres apart. Only one person is allowed in the van at any time.

"The biggest change to my delivery is with parcels; if a parcel won’t fit through a letterbox we will place it on the doorstep, ring the bell and step back while the customer retrieves it.

"If a customer is unable to come to the door, we will issue a ‘Something for you card’, advising of the ways a item can be delivered. If a signature is required, we no longer hand over the PDA, so we now sign on their behalf.

"I usually leave the office at 8-8.30 depending on how much mail there is. Now there is less traffic it is easier getting out of Worcester, although we do the same route every day, every day is different.

"As I’m a rural postie I don’t have as many houses as the city centre posties, but my round is 30 miles long, so it averages out.

"Everyone on my round is lovely and they have been very kind. We have all received letters of thanks and been given chocolates and presents which is very much appreciated, especially the Easter eggs for my daughter!

"I love doing my round because I deliver where I live and have been doing it for so long, I know everyone.

"I feel a bit worried about still working, but l am lucky I still have a job I love and get to be out and about. I love seeing my customers and having a good chat at a distance.

"For most of our older customers we are the only people they see every day. I have a college, school, retirement home, racing yard and farms on my round so it’s a good mixture.

Shane O’Riordain, Royal Mail Managing Director of Regulation and Corporate Affairs said: “As one of the UK’s essential services, Royal Mail remains open for business while the nation remains in lockdown. We know that the Universal Postal Service provides a lifeline to businesses and communities everywhere.

“The delivery of parcels and letters has become even more crucial as a way of keeping the country together, businesses operating, and helping many people who may not have the option to leave their homes.

“At Royal Mail, we understand the important role we have to play in helping people to stay connected. We continue to work hard to collect, process and deliver as much mail and parcels as possible in difficult circumstances.

“We would like to thank all our colleagues across the UK for helping to keep the nation connected in such challenging circumstances. Their work at this time is hugely appreciated.”