People in Common: Kwame Bakoji-Hume

by Sally Churchward. African Activities has been bringing art, music and storytelling to people, particularly schoolchildren, across the south for more than a decade. It’s a dream come true for Kwame Bakoji-Hume, who felt a strong desire to share African culture with the people around him. “In Ghana, not a...

People in Common: Simon Cotton

by Sally Churchward. POLITICS run in Simon Cotton’s blood. As a child, he spent much of his time hanging out at his grandad’s house in Shirley, Southampton, where The Sun newspaper was banned, and where Simon was schooled in the importance of being in a union. The older man...

People in Common: Marguerite Rayner

by Stephanie Palmer. “I firmly believe that you do volunteering totally for your own benefit.” That’s the self-deprecating start to my conversation with Marguerite Rayner, volunteer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Retired housing officer Marguerite has spent nearly every Monday morning for the past four...

People in Common: Laxmi Morgan

by Sally Churchward.   Laxmi Morgan, a carer from Southampton, is combining a huge home clear out with fundraising vital funds for charities which are close to her heart. As well as having a close friend who has suffered with ongoing mental health issues, and been sectioned, Laxmi has...