Monitoring the Royal Mail


When I retired I looked for some interesting part time work I could do from home. I thought a job would help me fill my time and finance my hobbies.  I found rather to my surprise several companies were happy to employ the more mature candidates.  Here is one of the ways I earn a few treats.

I have been part of the Royal Mail monitoring panel for almost two years. This is operated by Kantar TNS Research International and has been running for twenty-five years.  In exchange for posting and receiving letters and parcels I receive postage stamps and love to shop vouchers. I also get some packaging material which can be recycled. Other treats include  a diary for Christmas and a packet of chocolate  eggs for Easter. I have been lucky enough to win a £10.00  love to shop voucher in the daily draw twice.  Kantar also hide a golden smart in a parcel each month which is worth £100.00 but I have never been lucky enough to find it.

What do I have to do?

A collection of stamps showing Hermione, Harry and Ron with the Ford Anglia and the Night bus.
I received a set of Harry Potter stamps when I went live in January

All over Britain participants   send each other letters and packages.  Each one contains an electronic chip called a smart which records the progress of the item through the Royal Mail postal system.  When I am live I receive a package each week with my posting instructions. This includes various sizes of envelopes and a schedule of when to prepare and  where to send the letters. Details of letters sent and received have to be entered every day on a fairly user friendly website. About once a week I also have to go to the local post office to post a parcel.

Although it can have its downside generally I find it good to have an incentive to go for a walk or visit the local shopping centre.  Normally I spend about six months live and am then rested for six months.  During this time I can participate in other postal surveys. I did feel a bit guilty when our postman struggled through the snow with a couple of letters that I knew only contained a piece of paper and a smart recently.

If you are in the U.K. and live near a post box and can get to a post office and would like to join click here to find out more 

Kantar provide full training and I had a few weeks sending pieces of cardboard to and from their office while I  showed I was happy with what I had to do.

Have you found any unusual part time jobs? Please share in the comments below.


22 responses to “Monitoring the Royal Mail”

  1. This is really interesting – I have signed up out of curiosity to do the same.

    You have an interesting blog Anne, thanks for sharing with us! 🙂

  2. Oh wow I have never heard of this before but sounds really fun and with added bonuses and treats!! Also going to tell my mother about this as she is always looking for ways to make a little bit extra

    Laura x

  3. What an interesting part-time job, I didn’t know there was such a thing as Royal Mail Monitoring. Good on you.

  4. Wow this sounds interesting. Not heard of this before, so will look into this xx

  5. This sounds really interesting! I am keeping everything crossed for you to get the £100. I haven’t really had any interesting part time jobs – only bar work and nursing homes when I was a teenager. You’ve inspired me though!!

  6. It’s sounds like an interesting way to earn a little something extra. I’ve heard of people doing surveys but not this before.

  7. How interesting I didn’t even know this was a thing – sounds like an easy way to make some income from home.

  8. That’s a really unusual job but the Royal Mail Monitoring Panel sounds intriguing. Its great that it gets you out in the community visiting the local post office x

  9. I’ve never heard of this as a job before, but what a perfect way to earn some money while staying at home! It’s so interesting how the Royal Mail works 🙂

  10. Thanks, Anne, for sharing your unusual PT work. Many years ago I worked one Christmas for The Body Shop, wrapping gift baskets. I came home with the smell of their fruit-scented bath products.

  11. Ooo I did this for a little while! I had to stop because I was in and out of returning to my job and having surgery and couldn’t keep up with whether I’d definitely be able to post things when required. It’s one I’d consider picking back up again though so thanks for the reminder, and congrats on your wins! I’ll keep my fingers crossed you scoop the £100 prize one of these days 😉
    Caz xx

  12. We did this for quite some time, then RM said they no longer needed us, so the mother-in-law applied and now does it. Loves getting the stamps, and it’s no hassle as she pops to the shop every day (has a letter each day plus a parcel every now and then).
    Unusual PT job….I worked as a waiter in a ‘girls only’ bar many, many, many years ago. My uniform…a black bow tie, black lycra hotpants and black trainers…. made an absolute fortune in tips but came home black and blue from getting my butt pinched constantly lol

    • I like the bar story. My youngest son’s first proper job when he left school was in a bar by Bristol harbour side. He had to wear a tight sailor’s Tshirt. He used to dread disco night for teenagers.