Teenager Dylan was referred to Kicks Targeted by the Cardiff Youth Offending Service following his exclusion from school.
His behaviour was deteriorating rapidly and would often leave his home without any reasoning or just cause.
Through our one-to-one mentoring, our mentors used the power of Cardiff City FC to keep Dylan engaged, support his wellbeing, and earn his trust. As a result, this allowed us to work with Dylan to find different techniques to control his hostile behaviour, build positive relationships and visualise what his future holds.
Discovering his love for sport, our Future Pathways post-16 education programme was the perfect blend of theory and practical activities that Dylan needed. He is now studying on our BTEC Level Two in Sport and is on track to progress onto our BTEC Level Three Extended Diploma in Sport next year. He has made a new group a friends and has committed to changing his life for the better.
Dylan’s progress has been extraordinary, as outlined by his Youth Worker, Adrian:
“It’s been so refreshing to see Dylan’s progress – he’s shown inner strength to take a step towards making his future bright. Dylan is now working towards his childhood dreams of enjoying sport and has been really keen to get involved with Cardiff City FC Foundation.
“The one-to-one sessional work has reinforced the trust and confidence that Dylan is nurturing and will definitely continue to thrive through continued support and being surrounded by positive role models.”
Kian & Kiera's Story
For Brother and Sister, Kian and Kiera, football has always been more than just a game—it has been a constant thread weaving through their family life. Thanks to Cardiff City FC, they both found their ideal educational pathway through Cardiff City FC Community Foundation.
Darren's Story
Through Darren's passion for community, he's single handedly built a sense of belonging, purpose, and togetherness at Merthyr Kicks, creating a true family atmosphere. The site has flourished under his leadership, growing the site into a highly engaged session, week on week.
Sarok and Wareen's Story
Sarok and Wareen, siblings who arrived in the UK from Iraq in October 2024, struggled to adjust to their new school. Through regular football sessions, they gained confidence, developed a sense of belonging, and are now more actively participating in their learning.
