OUR STORY
Our Story
Horn Development Association (HDA) was founded as a grassroots, community-led organisation in response to the growing needs of marginalised communities in Cardiff’s inner-city wards, including Grangetown, Butetown, and Riverside. From the outset, our focus has been on creating meaningful, lasting change by listening to local voices and responding with inclusive, high-quality support.
We are proud to be a multi-award-winning organisation, recognised for our commitment to community impact and civic engagement. Our achievements include being named Cardiff Business Awards Third Sector Organisation of the Year (2020) and Cardiff Life Awards Civic Winner (2021 and 2025). These awards reflect our strong reputation, extensive experience, and proven track record of delivering impactful and sustainable programmes that promote community cohesion, inclusion, and social resilience.
Our catchment area is among the most economically disadvantaged in the UK and faces significant challenges linked to poverty, including poor physical and mental health outcomes. We work in a rapidly changing society and remain guided by a core belief: if change is about choice, we must be accountable to the people we represent and serve.
All our programmes are shaped through ongoing dialogue with young people, families, and community partners. Our learning and development activities are carefully and sensitively designed to meet the needs of individuals and groups, ensuring they receive the best possible support in a safe, welcoming, and empowering environment.
Our vision is for a more inclusive and resilient Cardiff, where every resident is valued, connected, and actively involved in community life. To achieve this, we deliver a wide range of free and accessible programmes, including youth and community sessions, holiday activities, sports and wellbeing initiatives, creative arts, skills development, volunteering opportunities, and community events.
We actively encourage participants to help shape our work, engage in social action, and use their voices to influence the decisions that affect their lives. By placing community leadership at the heart of everything we do, HDA continues to build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.