Evan's Story
Traditional school settings hadn’t worked for Evan, but since joining the Junior Apprenticeship programme and developing a close bond with his Foundation mentor, his outlook on education has now changed.
CARDIFF CITY FAN TO STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Henry George's journey with the Community Foundation began as a devoted Cardiff City FC fan. Starting with the NCFE Level 3 Sport programme at age 16, Henry quickly immersed himself in every opportunity and experience the Foundation offered. Now as a student of the foundation degree in Community Football Coaching & Development, he's playing an active role across several Foundation-lead projects.
Learn, lead & coach.
The Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development gives learners the chance to study a two-year course in collaboration with the University of South Wales and EFL in the Community. Alongside the academic elements of the course, students like Henry have the unique opportunity of gaining practical experience through up to 200 hours of voluntary coaching within the community.
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Throughout his time at the Foundation, Henry has been a key figure in the delivery of our Premier League Kicks programme, an outreach project designed to inspire young people to reach their full potential in some of the most high-need areas of South Wales.
In our Inclusive Kicks football sessions, created to improve well being and increase social interaction, Henry has supported children in 1-to-1 and group settings transition to community-based sessions, building their confidence and a sense of belonging along the way.
Recognising the barriers many young people face, Henry has also supported the delivery of many educational workshops at these sessions, aimed to challenge harmful behaviours and encouraging reflection around discrimination.
Thanks to these key sessions, Henry has refined his coaching abilities and now works across our Cardiff City Soccer Schools, delivering on our football provision during the school holidays.
Providing safe and inclusive community football opportunities that welcome everyone.
Henry also heavily assists our Sensory Room on matchdays—a specially designed space equipped with various sensory tools and resources to provide a relaxing and stimulating environment for children and young people with sensory processing needs. Reflecting his commitment to creating accessible and welcoming experiences, Henry has become a beloved and key figure in the sensory room, providing compassion, warmth and munch needed continuity for the users.
Henry has also actively supported both our Primary and Secondary School services, which aim to improve physical and mental wellbeing to boost self-esteem in school children and help young people navigate education.
Stepping into classrooms and schoolyards at short notice to cover sessions during staff absences, Henry has already made a lasting impression—quickly building rapport with pupils and ensuring sessions remain inclusive, safe, and welcoming.
Through these sessions, whether through informal conversations during activities or through reflection, Henry also finds a way to encourage pupils to consider themes like gender roles in football, fairness, and equality.
These short but impactful moments during school hours has actively opened an important dialogue on inclusion, helping young people learn to value this and respect, both in sport and everyday life.
His development has been further supported by time spent shadowing experienced delivery staff. Being a higher education student himself, working alongside secondary aged children is not easy, yet his ability to lead small-group activities and support peers with challenging behaviour, shows his growing communication skills, making him a valued coach within the Foundation.
We believe in the power of connection, and we're committed to creating opportunities for everyone to belong.
Earlier this year, Henry shared his story at the Youth Work Conference at Cardiff City Stadium—an inspiring example of youth-led impact. His experience continues to show how youth work can empower young people to grow, lead, and make a difference in their communities.
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Through this, and the countless events, stadium tours, and tournaments that Henry has supported—whether through employment or his studies—he has become a passionate ambassador for our work and continues to contribute to our broader mission of equipping people with game-changing life skills, to help set them up for success.
HENRY SAID:
“Being part of the Foundation has helped me grow so much—not just as a coach, but as a person. I’ve had the chance to work with all kinds of young people, and every experience has taught me something new. It's really rewarding to know that just by showing up, listening, and being myself, I can make a difference in someone else’s day. That’s what motivates me—to create room for everyone to be themselves and feel included."
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