IDPD 2021: Providing Inclusive Opportunities

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Cardiff City FC Foundation is proud to offer inclusive opportunities for children and young people with a disability.

We strive to ensure all our beneficiaries feel comfortable and included at any of our sessions that they take part in.

Our Bluebirds Ability disability football project has supported over 200 children and young people with a disability or impairment in 2021. These sessions use sport as a tool to encourage physical health and activity, social interaction, and improve confidence.

The project has recently introduced a one-to-one offer, recognising that children with more complex needs may require additional time and support from our specialist staff to adjust to our regular pan-disability group sessions, these individual sessions work to help with this transition.

Thanks to Cardiff City Football Club, our Bluebirds Ability project now also includes a Sensory Room at Cardiff City Stadium. This facility features specialist equipment and sensory toys that allow children with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, a comfortable environment, and safe space to explore their surroundings and make the most of their visit to the home of the Bluebirds.

We’ve been working with Disability Sport Wales and are delighted to have been awarded the inSport Silver standard.

The award is a collaboration between Sport Wales and Disability Sport Wales to help Welsh sport improve its offer and support for people with a disability, ensuring that the future of sport in Wales strives to provide equal opportunities.

The Foundation’s Disability Coordinator and ED&I Lead, Chris Foot said:

“The Foundation is committed to providing inclusive opportunities for children, young people, and families to access education and sport. We’ll continue to shape our offers, focusing on the needs of each individual and community and work towards becoming a Gold standard organisation.”

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are the heart of everything we do as an organisation. We want to ensure it is reflected through all our projects and programmes and embedded into our organisational culture.

Take a look at our ED&I plan by clicking here.