Post Office Outreach Services

In response to the Network Change Programme implemented between 2007 and 2009, which resulted in the closure of around 2,500 post office services, the Arthur Rank Centre worked with Post Office Ltd to draw up guidelines for churches interested in hosting outreach post office services.

Over 40 churches across the denominations have followed this simple process and thus kept a post office service and presence in these communities (many isolated and rural).

Post offices are still in danger of closure and many communities will still need to find a way to retain a post office service in future.

If you are in this situation and think you might wish to set up a post office outreach service in your village, these guidelines can help with information such as:

  • How the Post Office side of things works
  • Basic requirements for hosted premises
  • How the church side of things works
  • Contracts
  • Funding and other resources
  • Managing the project, support and contact points
  • It also contains useful FAQs

POST OFFICE OUTREACH SERVICES RESOURCES

Guidelines and Best Practice for the Provision of a Hosted Post Office Service in Churches and Chapels can be downloaded below.

Read about the experience of Wolds Valley Methodist Church, Weaverthorpe, North Yorkshire.

Advice and guidelines for community-ownership from the Plunkett Foundation

Contact your Rural Community Action Network through ACRE.

Last modified on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:52

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