Giving something back

For me, it gave me the confidence to set myself a huge personal challenge and sign up for the 22.6mile (yes the .6 really matters!) hike along the Jurassic Coast in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support last year. Knowing Aster would match fund up to £200 made the £250 target commitment feel 'less of a hill to climb' and I could concentrate on building up my stamina with a programme of training walks.

Together we raised just over £600 and that feeling of personal achievement together with being able to support a charity close to my heart has made me want to do more. So this year I’ve signed up for another mighty hike but this time it’s 26 miles through the Cotswolds and I’m already fundraising knowing that every £1 I raise through cake sales and soup kitchens is matched by Aster.

The opportunity to give back here doesn’t stop there. This year through the Aster Foundation, 150 volunteering days have been gifted to colleagues to be able to support charities or work in their local communities.  I’ve been fortunate enough to secure one of those days and I’ve used it to support my local Vicar sorting through 14 years of parish paperwork and setting up an archiving system.

Aster already has a great purpose, we provide homes which make a big difference to people’s lives but it’s much more than that.  It’s also a great place to work.