Helping you master Christmas
Christmas can sometimes feel overwhelming with all the planning and organising. From buying and sending gifts to withdrawing and depositing cash, the little admin tasks can take away some of the magic of the season. That’s where Post Office and our postmasters come in.
With a wide range of services and a team of experts ready to help, they’re here to make your Christmas run smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the celebrations.
And, for this year’s Christmas campaign, we’re bringing this spirit to life with a cast of beautifully crafted, handmade characters. Each one represents the dedicated postmasters and branch colleagues across the country who work tirelessly to support you with your Christmas admin needs.
Let us introduce you to three of the postmasters behind them. And for help any time of year, you can find a Post Office branch near you.
Dhaval Gosaliya, Barton Seagrave branch
For Dhaval Gosaliya, being a postmaster is more than a job. It’s a way to give back to the community and make a positive impact. Originally from India, Dhaval and his wife Suhani Shah moved to the UK two decades ago and have since built a life rooted in family and community spirit.
“We grew up in a joint family back in India, so the idea of supporting others has always been close to our hearts,” Dhaval explains. “Post Office felt like the perfect way to combine our desire to serve the community with running our own business.”
Dhaval and Suhani opened their first branch in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire, in May 2016 and expanded to Sandy, Bedford, in March 2022. Alongside running two branches, the couple are parents to two young boys, aged 15 and 5. “It’s just the four of us here in the UK,” Dhaval shares, “while the rest of our family is back in India. But our Post Office customers and colleagues feel like an extended family to us.”
When he’s not busy at work, Dhaval enjoys travelling, dancing and unwinding with movies and live shows. But being a postmaster also brings Dhaval joy. “It’s a special role where you interact with people of all ages, all under one roof ,” he says. “We’ve created a real Post Office family. Our customers, our colleagues and us. My passion is doing whatever I can to meet my customers’ expectations and make their experience as smooth as possible.”
This year, Dhaval feels especially honoured to be part of our Christmas campaign. “It’s a privilege,” he says. “Christmas is such a hectic time for postmasters, but it’s also special. Some people only visit us once a year and it’s our chance to make their experience easier and spread some holiday cheer.”
Dhaval’s branches are ready for the festive season, complete with decorations and plenty of seasonal spirit. “I’ll be busy helping customers with customs forms and postage options,” he laughs. “But I might take a moment to point out my festive character on the new signage. It’s a fun touch that adds to the holiday atmosphere!”
As for his own Christmas plans, Dhaval is looking forward to spending quality time with family and friends. “We’ll bring cheer, joy and festivities to those around us, making a positive start to the new year.”
Helen Froggatt, Holmfirth branch
Running a bustling Post Office branch is no easy task. But, for 46-year-old mum of four, Helen, it’s a labour of love.
A postmaster for the past four and a half years, Helen and her husband Steve took a leap of faith in 2020 to buy Kirkburton branch in Huddersfield, combining her extensive career in finance with their shared dream of running their own business. Since then, they’ve expanded to two branches and even a Banking Hub.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Helen shares. “Every day is different, and I love the variety of my work. The customers I get to help each day make it all the more rewarding. There’s never a dull moment.”
When she’s not busy behind the counter, Helen enjoys spending time with her family, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, losing herself in a good book, or exploring the great outdoors with her two-year-old German Shepherd.
This year, Helen is one of just three postmasters chosen to feature in the Post Office Christmas campaign. And it’s a moment she describes as both an honour and a challenge.
“To be selected out of thousands of postmasters across the UK is a huge privilege,” she admits. “But I’ll be honest, I hate having my photo taken, so stepping in front of the camera wasn’t easy! Still, it’s wonderful to be part of something that shines a light on the work postmasters do in their communities.”
When it comes to Christmas, Helen’s plans are all about family. “I’ll be spending the holidays surrounded by loved ones, enjoying some well-earned downtime with plenty of films and chocolates,” she says with a smile.
Before wrapping up, Helen has one more thing to say: “A big thank you to everyone involved in raising the profile of postmasters and the vital role we play in our communities. It’s making a difference and that’s something I’m truly proud to be part of.”
Gurpreet Dhillon, Stone Cross branch
Like so many postmasters across the UK, Gurpreet from Stone Cross branch is at the heart of her local community in West Bromwich. Over the years, she’s built meaningful connections with her customers, who she fondly refers to as her "Post Office family."
“We’ve met every member of the family, from the oldest to the youngest,” she shares. “We’ve seen them grow up, get married, have children and even grandchildren. Every interaction means so much to us.”
Gurpreet and her team have created a welcoming, friendly atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Regular customers even have playful nicknames, showing just how well the team knows and values them.
“It’s all about bringing a smile to someone’s day,” Gurpreet says.
Her role in the community goes far beyond the counter. Gurpreet actively supports local charities, such as the Wahegru Foundation, which relies on Post Office services to deliver aid, welfare and education to some of the most remote parts of the world.
“Without the Post Office, it would be a struggle,” explains Harsimrat Singh, Executive Director of the foundation. “The branch is a vital community hub that connects us to a much wider network of support.”
In her free time, Gurpreet enjoys life’s simple joys: “Spending time with my family… and maybe spending my husband’s money!” she jokes.