My theme for this week’s column is ‘Anniversaries and New Beginnings’.

The High Sherrif of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle and I went out visiting charities on Wednesday.

Charles’ theme for the year is Life Chances, focusing on some of the most vulnerable young adults in society.

This fits with my theme, Youth Matters and we visited my charity, Perdiswell Young Peoples’s Leisure Club (PYPLC), Worcester Food Bank, Headway and ASPIE.

First, we went to Worcester Food Bank which is part of the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity and we took part in the volunteer daily meeting.

Next, we visited Headway Worcestershire which is a local and independent charity for adults affected by acquired brain injury (ABI).  We took part in a mindfulness session and ate lunch together.

Worcester Male Voice Choir came and sung, as brilliantly as ever.

One of their relatively new recruits is working with Headway and I was absolutely delighted to be able to open Mark’s Blind Craftsman’s Workshop, with nothing less than a saw!

In the afternoon we visited PYPLC and had a chat with two of the community groups using the facilities, it is very well kept and flexible enough to accommodate a multitude of activities.

Our final visit was to ASPIE, a social support and therapy group for adults with Asperger’s/autism.

Open every single Wednesday and Saturday, the Lowesmoor facility is a real haven, there is also ASPIE Avengers team for the footballers amongst us.

On Thursday it was a real treat to open Rotary Club’s 100-year anniversary project.

Gheluvelt Park is now home to new planters, a landscaped area with benches and a friendship group in the Sons of Rest Building. Scissor were used to cut the ribbon this time!

Friday evening was the Kays Theatre Group’s 70th anniversary panto the Glass Slipper.

It was a feast for the eyes and if like me, Christmas came and went too quickly, go book a ticket and recapture. The panto is taking place at the Swan Theatre until 2 February.

To book tickets, visit www.worcestertheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01905 611427.