My theme for this year is Youth Matters.

Young people face an ever challenging and complicated environment.

Young people can be too easily forgotten and being less likely than older age ranges to speak up, they need support and they need a voice.

My charity for the year is Perdiwsell Young People’s Leisure Club.

Formed in 1976 in an old wartime asbestos Nissen hut, it gained charitable status in 1986 and is now in a much more modern building and known to many simply as the “blue roof”.

Keeping with its original objectives, “blue roof” provides educational and leisure time activities and facilities and supports charitable purposes in the local community.

Inclusion groups, musical groups and the skate park are good examples of activities on offer.

“Blue roof” is the largest provider of youth services in our city.

This year, I am hosting a Pride and Prejudice Charity Banquet in the beautiful Assembly Room at the Guildhall on Friday, 28 March at 6.45pm.

Organised in collaboration with the Mayor’s Charity, Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club, the evening will include a drinks reception with entertainment in the Lower Hall, a three-course dinner in the Assembly Room with a full programme of live music and entertainment, a silent auction, live auction of donated items and a raffle.

Please check your calendars and if available, tickets can easily be purchased by email to civicoffice@worcester.gov.uk