Our spotlight today is on local volunteer Aileen Assender. Aileen was one of those who recently received a Haslemere Volunteer Award recognising her enormous contribution to our community. We met up with Aileen to find out more about her volunteering and why she is a worthy winner.

Aileen has been a Haslemere resident for many years. She went to school locally and, after a number of years posted in various locations with the army, came back to Haslemere to live. Aileen remembers how 'During my early years when my father was in The Army we always came back here in between postings, so Haslemere became a big part of my life. It was also always good to come ‘home’ when my husband and I were travelling around whilst he was in The Army and I would often listen to my Aunt who lived in Haslemere and was always involved in something, especially within the Church.' It seems that her Aunt's passion for getting involved in the community planted an early seed in Aileen who went on to follow in her footsteps!

Aileen was nominated for a Haslemere Volunteer Award by her fellow volunteers at the Haslemere Food Bank. She has been the Treasurer here since it opened its doors back in 2013. Back then, it was hoped that the need for a food bank in the town would be short-lived but, sadly, this proved not to be the case. The food bank has grown hugely in size since those early days and Aileen has taken on the increased roles and responsibilities associated with it, all without ever once complaining. Since the Haslemere Food Bank is now a registered Charity, there is an incredible amount of paperwork to deal with. Not only does she manage the relationship with the Charity Commission but she also manages grants and donations and balances the books week in week out. This is not a task to be sniffed at – we have seen the vast amount of paperwork that this involves. No week goes by without Aileen having to crunch the numbers or submit data. 

But Aileen’s involvement is not confined to spreadsheets and computers. You will also see Aileen at the Haslemere Methodist Church pretty much every week when the food bank opens its doors. Here you will find her sitting with clients making conversation and brightening up many a people’s day.

Jo Mackay, Chair of the Haslemere Food bank said, ‘Aileen is a true gem. I think volunteering is, quite simply, part of Aileen’s DNA. How she finds the time to give up so much of her time is beyond me, but we are extremely grateful that she does.’ 

Aileen told us, 'The role I took on as Treasurer in 2013 has given me the opportunity to give something back to the Community. This has been very important to me. It has been a very rewarding role and I always get pleasure in sitting down with people and chatting to them, catching up on mine and their daily lives and I always hope that I help brighten up their day, just a little as they brighten up mine.' 

However, Aileen’s volunteering does not stop there. She gives a large amount of time to helping Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Haslemere. Her daughter, Natalie, told us how, ‘You will often find Mum befriending people at church, making people feel welcome.’ Here, she is Chair of the Haslemere Quilters who meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month. This group of approximately 40 ladies enjoy a yearly programme of activities, including ‘sit and sew’ afternoons, afternoon talks, in-house workshops and occasional trips. 

Aileen said, 'To begin with I would try and help with any event that was being held through Our Lady of Lourdes. There would be lunches, Christmas bazaars and I would deliver our monthly newsletter to families around where I lived. It wasn’t until I retired when I was able to get involved in many more things by becoming a welcomer at Church, taking my turn making coffee on a Sunday after Mass and helping in any way I could with anything else that was going on. This is still a very big part of my life. I joined Haslemere Quilters in 2013 and became part of the Committee in 2015 which led to being Chair in 2018. This, I felt, was an important role especially during COVID when weekly communication to the group was paramount. As we know, it was a difficult time for everyone and, through regular contact, the group remained intact and continues to thrive today. I remained Chair until 2023 when I took on the role of Treasurer which I thoroughly enjoy. It always gives me pleasure to see our members each month.'

Last but not least, Aileen is also Programme Secretary and Associate Members Representative for the Aldershot group of The Royal Signals, ensuring she remains involved in the army life that Aileen and her husband enjoyed for many years. When Aileen and her husband, Richard, were travelling with The Army, Aileen used to get involved with the Wives Club, 'helping organise meetings, events and supporting those around me, especially when we were overseas and had no close family nearby.' Aileen's current involvement with the Aldershot group of The Royal Signals is therefore a natural continuation of what she started decades earlier. However, it was also the beginning of the volunteering that was to come in later years too. 'I always knew that when our Service life ended I would want to get involved with things locally and try to give something back to the town.'

Not surprisingly, Aileen's three daughters are clearly very proud of their Mum. They told us, 'Mum has a heart that reaches far beyond herself — the kind of person whose kindness ripples through every life she touches. Her generosity of time and spirit brings warmth, hope, and strength to the community, reminding everyone that true giving comes not from obligation, but from love. She’s a quiet force for good, and the world is kinder because of her. I am so proud and honoured that I can call Aileen my Mum!’. 

Hopefully, Aileen doesn’t mind us sharing the fact that she will shortly be turning 80…. If anyone is proof that age is just a number, it surely has to be Aileen! We asked her what motivates her to keep giving her time so generously to help others rather than relaxing with her feet up. She wisely told us, 'In my mind's eye, volunteering is not just giving, it is what you get in return and that for me makes all that I do so worthwhile.' We couldn't agree more.

Thank you Aileen for your contribution to the Haslemere community.