Cardiff City FC Foundation Impact Report: South Wales 2026

Key Points

• The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation hosted its Annual Impact Celebration Event at Cardiff City Stadium on 16 April 2026.
• The event featured the launch of the 2024-25 Impact Report, documenting the charity’s ongoing efforts to create inclusive environments for families, children, and young people across South Wales.
• During the 2023-24 season, the Foundation recorded more than 150,000 attendances across its various community programmes.
• The celebration was hosted by Geraint Hardy, with personal testimonials highlighting the role of football in health, education, and community cohesion.
• Key speakers, including Lee Griffiths, shared personal stories regarding the impact of the Foundation’s services, such as the 1927 Club for those navigating dementia.
• The Foundation relies on strategic partnerships with the University of South Wales, EFL in the Community, and the Premier League Foundation to deliver its services.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) April 28, 2026 – The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, the official charity of the Bluebirds, marked a milestone year of community engagement at an event held at Cardiff City Stadium on 16 April 2026. The gathering brought together stakeholders, participants, and charitable partners to celebrate the launch of the 2024-25 Impact Report, an assessment of the organisation’s success in fostering safe and inclusive spaces for the region’s residents.

How did the Foundation celebrate its recent achievements?

The evening was hosted by Geraint Hardy, the well-known voice of Cardiff City FC, who facilitated a series of discussions regarding the organisation’s outreach efforts. According to the official report, the event focused on the power of football as a catalyst for improving physical health, supporting academic and vocational skills, and creating more resilient community networks throughout South Wales. By bringing together those who have directly utilised these services, the Foundation provided a platform for participants to share their lived experiences of the charity’s influence on their daily lives.

What personal stories were highlighted during the event?

A central focus of the evening was the testimony provided by Lee Griffiths, who shared a poignant account of his family’s experience with the Foundation’s 1927 Club. As reported by the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, Griffiths explained how the service provided a welcoming environment for his father following a dementia diagnosis. His experience served as an example of how the Foundation’s inclusive spaces offer vital support for families attempting to navigate complex health circumstances.

How significant was the Foundation’s reach in the last season?

The data presented at the event indicated a substantial footprint across the region. During the 2023-24 season, the Foundation recorded over 150,000 attendances across its diverse range of programmes. This metric, as noted by the organisation, is a result of a “place-based approach,” which ensures that support is specifically tailored to the unique requirements of the local areas in which they operate. By ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of background, the Foundation continues to address local inequalities through its targeted services.

Who are the key partners enabling this impact?

The sustained success of the Foundation is largely attributed to the collaborative efforts of several high-profile partners. As highlighted in their strategic communications, the Foundation works closely with the University of South Wales, EFL in the Community, and the Premier League Foundation. These organisations provide the necessary infrastructure and funding to deliver accessible opportunities for young people across the region. Zac Lyndon-Jones, the Director of the Foundation, emphasised the importance of these relationships, noting that the collective efforts of funders and delivery organisations are essential to expanding the charity’s reach on and off the pitch.

What is the context behind this development?

The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation acts as the official charity arm of the football club, operating under a strategic vision to “Change Lives and Transform Communities”. Throughout its history, the Foundation has moved beyond standard sports coaching to address wider social issues, including disability support, mental health awareness, and youth development. In the 2023-24 season, the organisation reported an significant social impact value—an economic measurement of the benefits provided to the community—which reached £33.4 million, demonstrating a massive increase from the previous year’s figures. This strategy is formalised in the “2023-2028 Strategic Plan,” which serves as the roadmap for the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive growth and community wellbeing.

How might this development affect the local community in South Wales?

The continued expansion and success of the Foundation’s programmes are likely to have a stabilising and positive effect on the South Wales community, particularly for vulnerable populations. By maintaining a high volume of engagement—evidenced by the 150,000 annual attendances—the Foundation is effectively providing a “safety net” for social cohesion. For local residents, this translates into continued access to free or subsidised mental health support, disability football, and educational pathways that might otherwise be unavailable. As the Foundation encourages further partnerships and referrals, the integration of these services into the fabric of local life is expected to strengthen community resilience, reduce social isolation for individuals like those supported by the 1927 Club, and provide young people with structured developmental opportunities for years to come.