Cardiff City FC Community Foundation partnered with Women Connect First to create an exclusive women's-only Fit Bluebirds session designed to provide a safe, welcoming space where participants could get fit, build friendships, and support each other in their health and wellness journeys.
Women Connect First is a Cardiff-based charity focused on empowering Black and Minority Ethnic women living in Cardiff. Together, we identified an opportunity to offer an exclusive Fit Bluebirds group for their members, providing a safe space where they would feel comfortable participating.
Since many of the participants were already familiar with one another through Women Connect First, they naturally formed a supportive community within the group. Beyond the exchange of advice and tips, they also traded encouragement and empowerment. With one another’s support, the group kept each other accountable and helped motivate everyone to stay committed to their goals.
The Fit Bluebirds delivery team personalised the modules to align with their interests and challenges, ensuring that the material was relevant and engaging. To help participants feel more at ease and confident throughout the programme, the coaches consisted of female only instructors.
Many of the women speak languages other than English, which could have made the course feel intimidating. However, as the weeks progressed, the group grew more confident in asking questions and engaging in discussions about diet, exercise, and general health.
Since the beginning of the programme, participants have made significant lifestyle improvements, including weight loss and increased physical activity. But what has truly stood out is the friendships that have blossomed between the women. The Fit Bluebirds programme provided more than just exercise and diet knowledge. It created a space for the women to connect, share, and grow together.
The group have continued to make healthier lifestyle choices outside of the sessions and are committed to maintaining the habits they’ve learned. Several participants are now exploring other exercise opportunities, including women's-only gyms, classes, and swimming sessions. The partnership between Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and Women Connect First has proven to be a powerful example of how tailored, supportive collaboration can have lasting and meaningful impact on local communities.
By working with the Community Foundation, an organisation can:
“Watching this group grow and develop week by week has been truly inspiring. Unlike most Fit Bluebirds cohorts, the 17 women who attended already knew each other, so it was heartwarming to witness the support they offered one another and how they checked in to keep each other on track. This partnership has shown that it's about more than just losing weight – it's about uniting people and creating a real sense of belonging."
“I joined the Fit Bluebirds programme with two goals in mind: one for myself and one for my husband. For me, it was about fully recovering from the after effects of an accident and rebuilding my muscle strength. For my husband, it was learning about a healthy diet to support his weight loss journey. The practical exercise in each session helped me regain my muscle strength. And while I had some awareness of healthy eating before, the sessions gave me a deeper understanding of nutrition and how to create lasting healthy habits for both of us. What I loved most about the sessions was the sense of community. Starting something new on your own can be tough, but learning and growing alongside others gave me the encouragement I needed to stay motivated.”
The Women Connect Plus exclusive sessions were delivered in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Our new Fit Bluebirds sessions begin in January 2025 at Cardiff City Stadium. Don’t wait, sign up now and be part of the EFL FIT FANS success story.
Grace's story
In high school, Grace struggled with motivation to engage in her subjects and complete her work, resulting in a lack of routine and low self-esteem. Seeking a different path, Grace saw the Community Foundation as an opportunity to blend her love of football with her studies.
Alex's Story
Thanks to Futsal and personalised support from dedicated staff, Alex has established a healthy routine and has stayed motivated with his coursework, helping him to outline his game plan for a bright future.
Reshaping Refugee Resettlement Through The Power of Football
In partnership with Cardiff Council’s Refugee Resettlement Department, the Community Foundation supported families who were residing across Cardiff, with the ‘Football for All’ project, generously funded by The National Lottery.
