The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation has generated more than £66 million in social value over the last two seasons, according to the independent UEFA Social Return on Investment model.

The official charity of Cardiff City delivered £32.9 million in social value in 2024/25 alone, with every £1 invested in its work returning £19 in benefits for people and communities across Cardiff and South Wales.

The 2024/25 results follow £33.4 million of social value generated in 2023/24, bringing the Foundation’s two-year total to more than £66 million.

Social value assigns a monetary figure to changes that are often deeply felt but rarely counted, from improved mental health and new qualifications to greater activity levels and safer, more connected communities, then calculates what those outcomes are worth to society at large.

Cardiff City FC Community Foundation’s social value was independently assessed using the UEFA Social Return on Investment model by social impact specialists Substance.

The Community Foundation’s 2024/25 impact included £17.4 million generated through improvements in health and wellbeing, including physical health, mental health and life satisfaction.

A further £10.2 million came from social and community outcomes, including stronger relationships, greater community cohesion and an increased sense of belonging.

Education and employment outcomes contributed £4.9 million, reflecting the value of participants gaining qualifications, confidence, transferable skills and pathways towards work.

Additional social value, including support such as volunteering, donations, in-kind help and facilities, added over £329,000.

The charity’s own participant data shows the human impact behind the figures. In 2024/25, 93% of people engaged reported an improved sense of belonging in their community. Nine in ten said their mental, emotional or physical well-being had improved.

A further 90% also reported stronger peer relationships, a better attitude towards learning and improved transferable skills such as confidence, problem-solving and teamwork. Eighty-eight per cent said they had a better understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle.

“Generating more than £66 million of social value over the last two seasons is a remarkable achievement, and every £1 spent delivering £19 in return is a powerful reflection of the commitment of our staff, volunteers and partners,” Zac Lyndon-Jones, Chief Executive of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said.

“These figures represent real people whose lives have been positively changed through improved wellbeing, greater confidence, stronger connections and new opportunities.

“We are proud of the impact being delivered across Cardiff and South Wales, but we also know there is more to do.

“We remain committed to working alongside our partners and communities to ensure this support reaches the people who need it most.”

The Community Foundation delivers targeted programmes for young people at risk of disengagement, exploitation and long-term disadvantage, including work delivered with the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Prevention Unit.

“Football has a unique power to bring people together and change lives, and these figures show the true scale of that impact across Cardiff and South Wales,” Ken Choo, Cardiff City FC Executive Director and CEO, added.

“We are incredibly proud of the work of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and the way it uses the reach of the football club to support children, young people and families.

“The £66 million figure is hugely impressive, but what matters most is what sits behind it: people feeling healthier, more confident, more connected and better able to fulfil their potential.”

Image Credit – Sophie Baxter Photography

---

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.

The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation has generated more than £66 million in social value over the last two seasons, according to the independent UEFA Social Return on Investment model.

The official charity of Cardiff City produced £32.9 million in social value in 2024/25 alone, with every £1 invested returning £19 in benefits for people and communities across the capital and South Wales.

The 2024/25 results follow £33.4 million of social value generated in 2023/24, bringing the Foundation’s two-year total to more than £66 million.

Social value assigns a monetary figure to changes that are often deeply felt but rarely counted. From improved mental health and new qualifications to greater activity levels and safer, more connected communities, it calculates what those outcomes are worth to society at large.

The Community Foundation’s 2024/25 impact included £17.4 million generated through improvements in health and wellbeing, including physical health, mental health and life satisfaction. A further £10.2 million came from social and community outcomes, including stronger relationships, greater community cohesion and an increased sense of belonging.

Education and employment outcomes contributed £4.9 million, reflecting the value of participants gaining qualifications, confidence, transferable skills and pathways towards work.

Additional social value, including support such as volunteering, donations, in-kind help and facilities, added over £329,000. In 2024/25, 93% of people engaged reported an improved sense of belonging in their community.

Nine in ten said their mental, emotional or physical well-being had improved. 90% also reported stronger peer relationships, a better attitude towards learning and improved transferable skills such as confidence, problem-solving and teamwork.

Eighty-eight per cent said they had a better understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle.

“Generating more than £66 million of social value over the last two seasons is a remarkable achievement, and every £1 spent delivering £19 in return is a powerful reflection of the commitment of our staff, volunteers and partners,” Zac Lyndon-Jones, Chief Executive of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said.

“These figures represent real people whose lives have been positively changed through improved wellbeing, greater confidence, stronger connections and new opportunities.

“We are proud of the impact being delivered across Cardiff and South Wales, but we also know there is more to do.

“We remain committed to working alongside our partners and communities to ensure this support reaches the people who need it most.”

The Community Foundation delivers targeted programmes for young people at risk of disengagement, exploitation and long-term disadvantage, including work delivered with the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Prevention Unit.

“Football has a unique power to bring people together and change lives, and these figures show the true scale of that impact across Cardiff and South Wales,” Ken Choo, Cardiff City FC Executive Director and CEO, added.

“We are incredibly proud of the work of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and the way it uses the reach of the football club to support children, young people and families.

“The £66 million figure is hugely impressive, but what matters most is what sits behind it: people feeling healthier, more confident, more connected and better able to fulfil their potential.”

---

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.