Hunter works tirelessly as a Practice Nurse, focusing on supporting the homeless community in Southampton. He goes above and beyond to help such a vulnerable group, raising money to fund the day centre which offers the community hot meals, sourcing donations of clothing from the local community so there are clean and fresh clothes available, running ladies night where vulnerable individuals can go to use wash facilities, speak to others in similar positions, find information about their health and access clean clothing. ​

​Hunter has a huge passion for helping the homeless community and this is evident in the effort he makes.

Frank has worked tirelessly for many years in the fitness industry and helped so many people including myself to find wellness, this is not just physical but Frank works to build mental health wellness too. His coaching skills are emotive, motivational and inspiring. Frank has also worked endlessly to improve both physical and mental well-being for our young people, using his incredible Funky Fit boxing classes that is being used in schools all over, not only does this improve fitness and mental well-being to our children but he gives young people the opportunity to learn to train others and become ambassadors in the field. Frank supports and takes part and organises many charity events himself and has always been a well-respected and known face around Southampton, helping to being every part of our community together!! Franks’s classes, his energy, his vibe his passion and goodwill to all is absolutely legendary. I owe so much of my journey to Frank and I know I am one of so so many. A role model for our young people.

I am nominating Saranjit Singh Karir because of his generous spirit and unwavering commitment to helping others. A devoted Sikh, Saranjit embraces everyone he meets, always extending kindness and support without hesitation. Whether serving the wider community or his own Punjabi faith, he is known for his willingness to assist anyone in need, with the answer always being a resounding “yes.” His selfless nature and dedication to service make him a true pillar of strength and compassion in the community.

Cheryl Butler has been a stalwart of the community for a large number of years celebrating and highlighting local history. She has written a number of books for the Southampton Record Series. She has run a number of community projects including the Diaper Heritage Group (which celebrated the Itchen Ferry communities), Tudor Revels, and through her Drama Group, the Sarah Siddons Fan Club. Cheryl helps bring to life to rich and varied history of the town to new generations in a fun and engaging way. She was instrumental in supporting the group applying for money to hold a very successful Jane Austen Festival, and also supported Peartree Church with their Peartree 400 project. Cheryl is also a member of the Southampton Tourist Guides and has trained new guides to promote the history of the town and also worked with Gods House Tower to promote Black history of the town too which dates back over 500 years. This is just the tip of the iceberg of some of the projects she has been involved in.

Naz has been doing community work for many years and is involved with getting food to those communities in need. He is a machine and never takes any credit and just does it because he cares. He has been doing this for over 10 years and helps me with many of the things I do in the community. He is a legend.

I’m excited to nominate Parminder for her incredible dedication as a volunteer at Unity 101. Having been a professional radio broadcaster, Parminder brings a wealth of experience and passion to the station, but what stands out most is her commitment to giving back to the community. Despite her professional background, she humbly volunteers her time, sharing her skills to uplift others and amplify diverse voices. Her generosity, combined with her love for radio, has made a real difference in making Unity 101 a strong platform for the community. Its this selfless spirit that truly sets her apart.

Jacqui is an all-round legend in Southampton – advocating for those communities who are under represented and she isn’t afraid to stand up to what she believes in.

Chris has been helping to guide our Cub aged Scouts for almost 10 years. Recently he has helped launch the new Squirrel Scout section for 4 and 5 year olds. He also helps buddy new leaders when they first start their volunteering journey.​

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I am nominating Vikki Cheng because of her remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a new country while dedicating herself to community service. After moving here, Vikki quickly became an integral part of the Chinese Association of Southampton, where she now serves as Vice Chair. Her energy and commitment are evident in the wide range of activities she leads, always focused on bringing people together. Vikki’s dedication to fostering unity and building connections across the community makes her an invaluable and inspiring leader

I am honored to nominate Melanie for her outstanding contributions to the Ukrainian community and her relentless efforts to support those affected by the war in Ukraine over the past two years. Melanie’s dedication to setting up and leading the Ukrainian Community Group has had a profound impact, offering a lifeline of support and hope for hundreds of displaced people and refugees.​

When the war in Ukraine began, Melanie immediately took action, spearheading the collection, sorting, and dispatching of over 300 tons of aid to Ukraine an extraordinary achievement that required countless hours of work and selfless commitment. Her unwavering dedication to the cause saw her giving up hundreds of hours of her time, and she remained available 24/7, providing assistance to those in distress and answering calls from individuals in need.​

Each week, over 300 people attended the Ukrainian Community Group, where Melanie ensured that essential services were available, including support from the benefits agency.

Jeanne has been an amazing befriended to 47 women since 2017! ​

She offers support, hope and belonging to families and their children who feel isolated and overwhelmed to prevent needs escalating. She work directly with families, giving practical and emotional support to parents and children, giving a regular break and space to families when this is needed. ​

Jeanne has gone above and beyond in coming along side struggling mums. She is an absolute hero!

I am nominating Anjali because of her tireless dedication to community service and her generous spirit. For the past ten years, she has been a committed volunteer at Unity 101 Radio, while also lending her support to over 100 events across Hampshire. Two years ago, alongside her husband, she founded the Hampshire Indian Community, and together they have been working with Dorset County Council to host free cultural events for everyone to share and enjoy. Anjali’s passion for bringing people together and her selfless efforts to create inclusive spaces make her an exceptional and valued member of the community.

Mandana advocates for the Iranian community and is also on the Council of Faiths, doing wonderful things to support the community.

Nikki is an integral part of life in West End, running the toddler group through to the Youth House, meaning she comes across these children when they’re babies and then when they get older too. She’s an amzing communicator and ambassador for Southampton, taking the young people from the youth club on trips and on experiences out of school time. We’re very lucky to have her. ​

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Parveen is a volunteer in her community and her passion is second to none! She has loads of ideas for change and is dedicated to making change happen.

I am nominating Haimanti Kumar because of her incredible creativity and dedication to enriching our community through art, fashion, music, and hosting. Despite her busy life as a wife and mother, Haimanti has volunteered her time and talents as a music director for major theatre productions and curated fashion shows with over 100 models. She continues to give back through her work with Unity 101 and various Bengali and London-based organisations. Her passion for the arts and her tireless commitment to sharing it with others, all on a voluntary basis, make her an inspiring force in the community.​

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Renu is deeply passionate about serving the community selflessly. She has been actively helping numerous individuals settle in the UK, while also offering support by discussing mental health and wellbeing. Renu is the founder of the Hampshire Indian Community and volunteers her time to promote cultural diversity and inclusion within the local area. Her dedication to the welfare of others and her commitment to building a supportive, multicultural community truly reflect her selflessness and care for people.​

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I am nominating Edward because of his incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading figure in the AI industry, all while maintaining his deep commitment to helping others. Despite his professional success, with features in the Financial Times, Forbes, and even a billboard in New York’s Times Square, Edward remains grounded and compassionate. He has been a dedicated volunteer at Unity 101 for over 10 years, always going the extra mile for the people he meets. In addition to his community work, he takes care of his mother in the Philippines, reflecting his selfless and caring nature. Edward’s cool temperament and unwavering dedication make him truly deserving of this recognition.

Vie is just amazing! I’ve attended book readings at the library with my children. Body positive online workshops for parents, which gave a great perspective for parents to consciously raise their children to have self acceptance. Vie also gave a couple of hours of her time to help my daughter complete her volunteering project for school, to design motivational posters for children preparing for sats. ​

She also ran free online workshops throughout lockdown, to read stories and talk to children. She is just an amazing woman who deserves recognition and it would be amazing for her to get some publicity so she can do more of her great work!​

Nagina works extensively with the Asian community, in Southampton – irrespective of their faith worked with all communities to alert them. ​

She has run a number of support groups open to all women encouraging them to engage and integrate with the community, at large.​

Most recently, she has also worked with all communities, genders and ethnicities on the subject of cancer awareness. She focuses on hard to reach groups, such as men (who are notoriously wary of going to their GP with cancer concerns, and dark-skinned people who may not feel in danger of skin cancer, for example

Satty is the kind of person that you are proud to have in the city! ​

​I am nominating Satvir Potiwal, Station Manager at Southampton Railway Station, for their remarkable contributions to the community. Satvir actively supports and promotes the great work happening at the station and engages closely with local groups and charities. They are also deeply involved in supporting initiatives like South Asian Heritage Month and Pride showing a strong commitment to inclusivity. Satty works closely with the seniors of the Saints Foundation, participating in events that provide meaningful community support. ​

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“As a group – and individuals (who didn’t want to be nominated indivAidually)they arrange amazing events all year round. These events are targeted to all sections of the community, Young parents with children, people who need warmth and companionship, unemployed people needing I.T. Help, Summer historical talks on a monthly basis, charity events. They really are the embodiment of a great library who actively get involved with all aspects of the community for the benefit of the community. They do all of the community events voluntarily ”