Shaping Fairer Communities in Southampton
Satvir Kaur was born and grew up in Southampton’s inner city on free school meals. Coming from an area that is within 10% of most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, Satvir was raised in a traditional family where she was expected to stay home, learn how to cook and get married to a stranger from the Punjab.
Satvir fought to go to University, being one of the first females in her community to do so. Since then, she now has two degrees, has worked in several industries including business, publishing and media, travelling the world for her job. Satvir is a local councillor for Shirley ward in Southampton and cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, which involves a variety of responsibilities that include helping to run a City made up of over 250,000 people, and oversee a budget of over £400m.
In her role, Satvir has championed many campaigns, from taking on Channel 4 when they tried to run an ‘Immigration Street’ series that local communities objected to, ensuring Southampton became a zero-tolerance city to hate crime, and launching Southampton’s first Pride event. She transformed the city’s library service to guarantee all libraries remained open and in community use, and worked with local charities to reform changes in the welfare system to benefit the most vulnerable and isolated.
Satvir also works with national bodies in ensuring equalities and social mobility in particular remain at the forefront of government policy, and worked on the Hilary Clinton campaign during the 2016 US Elections.