Dear Residents,
 
We hope you're well and thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
 
You may have noticed improvements over the past week as a result of the additional parking measures we've put in place. These actions have been implemented to address concerns raised and to minimise disruption to the local community.
 
Key measures now in effect include:

• Designated Off-Site Parking: We have arranged off-site parking, sourced by Sacyr, and are operating a shuttle bus service to transport supply chain operatives to and from site.
• Parking Patrols: Regular patrols are being carried out in surrounding residential areas to monitor and discourage inappropriate parking. Notices will be issued to any vehicles found breaching our parking policy.
• Permit-Controlled Access: Senior subcontractor management have been issued permits for use at the Whitchurch Hospital (WHG) parking area. Access to this area is now strictly controlled.
• Green Travel Incentives: Group vehicles (carrying five or more individuals) are being encouraged as part of our sustainability initiative and are permitted access to the on-site car park upon registration.
• Collaboration with Local Authorities: We are working closely with local PCSOs, who are actively supporting our efforts through community patrols. To date, they have reported no vehicles requiring enforcement.

 
We remain committed to being a good neighbour and will continue to monitor and refine our approach as necessary. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.

More than 100 students from Cardiff University were given the opportunity to explore the project site of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC).

The students, the majority of whom are studying civil engineering, were greeted by Community Benefits Coordinator (CBO), Joanne O’Keefe, who shared a presentation on the project, showing the compact design of the centre along with information around its green credentials. 

This was followed by a walking tour to give students a chance to see the construction process and gain a deeper understanding of the complex nature of infrastructure development. On the walk the students were greeted by Sacyr UK’s Project Manager, Hugo Pou, who explained the development of the project. 
Later, groups were treated to a talk with Sacyr’s Construction Director of the consortium responsible for developing the nVCC, Elena Castro Blanco. She explained the importance of preserving and improving the natural surrounding area, and Sacyr’s efforts to maintain its natural beauty. 

From design to operation, the nVCC leads the way in sustainable healthcare. It is the first all-electric hospital in the UK, uses renewable energy and has been designed to minimise environmental impact as much as possible while delivering the world-class cancer care Velindre is known for.

Students also heard from Health and Safety Advisor, Joshua Kincaid, who shared stories of his experience in the field and the regulations that keep construction a safe environment for all involved. 

Community Benefits Coordinator at Sacyr UK, Jo O’Keefe, said of the visit: “It’s brilliant to see so many fresh new faces, ready to take on the challenges of the construction industry, we’re just happy to be able to help them visualise their future.”

The new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project team got their oven gloves and aprons on this October to take part in its very own Macmillan Coffee Morning.

Macmillan UK’s annual coffee morning is held every year, where the cancer charity invites organisations, community groups and people to share a coffee and cake, raise money, and discuss how cancer has affected them and their loved ones.

Cancer is a cause that is close to many people’s hearts and is something that has also affected some members of the team at Sacyr UKA variety of cakes were generously donated by staff across the office, from marble bakes to banana bread, there was a wider selection to choose from, with the most coveted coming from the oven of, Workforce Development Coordinator Hannah Jenkins, who served up her homemade Welsh cakes.

Staff members came together to donate money, grab a coffee, have a chat and have the opportunity to be open about how cancer has touched their lives.

Overall, the cake sale surpassed its target, with the final tally coming in at more than £400, well exceeding the expected £250.

Prostate Cymru’s Dai Johns visited the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project site to deliver a series of talks on how to recognise and prevent prostate cancer.

Dai, now 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer aged 56 during a clinical trial he took part in because he had a family history of the disease. He thought it would be a simple screening procedure, however when a doctor called and told him he had a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA blood test result, he was told to return to the doctors as soon as possible. 

Two weeks later, with the help of robotic surgical equipment, he had an operation to remove the cancer and has been completely disease free for the past 15 years.

Dai now travels around Wales for the charity Prostate Cymru to give impassioned and informative talks on prostate cancer and the early warning signs to look out for. 

In Wales alone, more than 2,500 men are diagnosed annually with the disease, with around 1 in 8 men diagnosed in their lifetime. This increases to 1 in 3 for those with a family history. It is the most common form of cancer for men, with more than 12,000 dying from the disease annually.

“Most men who don’t die from it, die with it” Dai said when asked about the projection rate for men who have prostate cancer aged 50 and over.  

Dai said that he really enjoyed chatting to the Sacyr UK team: “After delivering nearly 500 sessions. I can confidently say these at nVCC were two of the best sessions I have held.”

Men from across the site were invited to down tools, enjoy some refreshments, kindly provided by sub-contractor Sphere Solutions, and hear from Dai about the signs to look out for. 

For more information about prostate cancer, Prostate Cymru offers a free health assessment here: https://www.prostatecymru.com/prostate-health-assessment/. 

If you are concerned about your prostate health, contact your GP or call Prostate Cancer UK’s free helpline on  0800 7747560.

Carlos Acuna and Vinchenzo Nigro, Sacyr UK design leads on the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), took to the streets of Cardiff in October to run the city’s half marathon and raise much needed funds for homeless charity Llamau.

Carlos and Vinchenzo joined 29,000 other runners to take part in the 22nd annual Cardiff Half Marathon, many of whom were also raising money for their chosen charities.

Sacyr UK’s design duo raised a whopping £871 in sponsorship for Llamau thanks to their energetic endeavours.

Llamau was founded in 1986 and provides safe and supportive housing for homeless teenagers and vulnerable women. The Cardiff-based charity has helped more than 100,000 young people, women, and children experiencing or facing homelessness.

The money raised by Carlos and Vinchenzo is enough to fund up to nine nights of safe supported accommodation for young people or children from Llamau’s services, or almost 30 in-house counselling sessions to help people process the trauma of homelessness.

When asked about the experience, Vinchenzo said: "This was my first half marathon, and seeing the finish line was literally breathtaking. I’ll never forget that mix of exhaustion, pride, and happiness."

Carlos and Vinchenzo would like to thank everyone who sponsored them and the Sacyr UK nVCC team is also grateful to them for their hard work and fundraising efforts for this important Cardiff charity.

Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits team, the main contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), attended Cardiff biggest jobs fair at Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground.

The team, along with more than 80 other employers, spent the day making connections and engaging with the public – many of whom were looking for career advice and help.

Sacyr UK was amongst 20 other construction companies who attended the fair, as well as sub-contractors and other sector organisation.

The Community Benefits team met a wide range of people, from those seeking employment, to local residents curious about the project and its progress. The Fair allowed the team to chat in a more informal way, allowing time to spread awareness of the nVCC project, as well as hopefully bringing new employees to the project team.

New Velindre Cancer Centre subcontractors NAB and Prichard’s were also in attendance, along with Blue Water Recruitment and Sphere solutions.

Community Benefits Co-Ordinator, Joanne O’Keefe said: “The Cardiff Into Work Jobs Fair is a great way for us to reach out to the community, while also allowing us to highlight what Sacyr UK has accomplished with the career paths made available.

“It was great to meet so many different people, some familiar and some new, and tell them about the work we are doing and the job opportunities we have and that the centre may offer in the future.”

New Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project team’s children were invited along to the site to take part in the first Sacyr UK sidekick day. 
Learning, laughs and lots of fun was the order of the day as eight children paid a visit to the project to learn what their parents do at work all day and learn all about construction.  

Guided by Jo O’Keefe, Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Coordinator, the sidekicks toured the office, got to wear PPE and learn about what their parents do on a project like nVCC. Jo was supported in escorting the children around site by Workforce Development Coordinator, Hannah Jenkins, and Community Benefits Apprentice, Sam Rees.

The nVCC, scheduled to open in Spring 2027, will deliver better outcomes through world-class cancer treatment, enhanced diagnostic capability and greater access to innovation, training and research.

The group enjoyed creative construction-based activities, from construction blocks and colouring for the younger children, to tetrahedron tower building using dowel rods and rubber bands for the older ones. 

The sidekicks were also set a challenge to see who could create the most impressive structure with just dried pasta for the supports and marshmallows for the connecting joints.

The group was also given a tour of the site, allowing them to see the project coming to life. The Community Benefits team provided the sidekicks with a scavenger hunt – placing photos along the path for the children to hunt down, spelling out the word “Velindre”.

The sidekicks were also challenged to create seed bombs, small clay balls containing soil and wildflower seeds, for nVCC’s green areas. 

The bombs were then thrown onto Maggie’s stockpile (named for the spot where charity Maggie’s will go on the site) - a large mound of earth moved during the initial construction phase of the project to make the topsoil for the surrounding green areas upon its completion. The seed bombs will aid in increasing pollination and improving biodiversity during the period of construction.

On 10th November, members of the Sacyr Community Benefits Team visited Tŷ Hafan, one of Wales’ leading children’s hospices, for an insightful tour of the facility. The visit formed part of Sacyr’s ongoing 100 Days of Volunteering initiative, which encourages staff to engage directly with local charities and community organisations.

Tŷ Hafan provides vital care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families. The hospice offers a warm and compassionate space where families can spend precious time together, access specialist care, and receive emotional and practical support during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. The visit gave the Sacyr team a deeper understanding of how Tŷ Hafan’s work positively impacts families across Wales.

As part of the day, Sacyr’s Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager joined representatives from Cambrai, BBI, Mitie, Wates, and Tilbury Douglas for a Business Leaders breakfast meeting with the CEO of Tŷ Hafan. The discussion focused on how the construction industry can better support the charity, particularly in maximising the value of future building and refurbishment projects. The session also explored opportunities to develop prosperous partnerships that could enhance community outcomes and strengthen Tŷ Hafan’s facilities and resources.

The breakfast discussion contributed a couple of hours to the 100 Days of Volunteering initiative through valuable knowledge transfer, allowing Sacyr and other industry partners to share insights, expertise, and connections. By exchanging ideas, the group helped Tŷ Hafan explore how it could make the most of future construction opportunities and better understand how collaboration within the social value space can help both the charity and local businesses achieve their community benefit targets.

This visit reflects Sacyr’s continued commitment to building strong, meaningful relationships within the community and ensuring that its projects contribute positively to people’s lives beyond construction.

Sacyr UK, ACORN consortium, and Velindre University NHS Trust, the partnership building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has officially donated thousands of pounds of tools to Benthyg’s Tool Library.

The Tool Library is a facility that will offer local people and community groups the opportunity to borrow rather than buy a range of tools. A full set of brand-new tools and equipment was donated and delivered over two days to support Benthyg’s Tool Library. Sacyr UK provided a complete range of items including hand and power tools, safety equipment, and garden kits. In total, ten sets of each tool were supplied, featuring combi drills, drivers’ sets, hand saws, chisel sets, tool bags, measuring tapes, and essential PPE such as gloves, goggles, and safety glasses. 

People from around South East Wales are invited to borrow tools for do it yourself projects and to participate in the projects efforts to promote a sustainable circular economy. As well as the generous donation, a further financial donation was given to provide complimentary access to tools for the first 250 loans at ACE Benthyg at Dusty Forge in Ely, Cardiff, to help local people and community groups to enhance both interior and exterior spaces.

“With Sacyr’s donation, our libraries of things can put more tools into people’s hands—making it easier to tackle DIY jobs, home improvements, and repairs without the high costs of buying new.” – Benthyg Cymru

Supported by Rugbi Industry Supplies and Draper Tools, those wanting to use the library can access the library via Benthygs’ website and will then be able to borrow the tool kits provided, as well as have full access to instructions via the Benthyg website.

Katie Hathaway, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager at Sacyr UK, said: “By working together, we can contribute to creating better environments where you live, work, and spend leisure time. We believe everyone deserves to take pride in their surroundings, and this programme represents a small but meaningful step toward creating a positive impact within our communities.”

To register your interest to be a Tool Library user, visit: Benthyg - Home

Watch last month's construction progress!

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - November 2025

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Newsletter 6

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - October 2025

Sacyr UK & Ireland’s Environment Team delivered a briefing on the European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) for the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) construction site. The session received positive feedback and was attended by 57 Sacyr personnel along with members of Project Co.

The briefing was delivered by environment Team members Huw Lewis & Oliver Hurrell to ensure that new team members are informed of the complex licence conditions safeguarding the habitat of the Hazel Dormouse, both retained and created, within and surrounding the site.

Key points emphasized included the importance of identifying protected and licensed areas across the site. Participants were reminded that any activities potentially affecting these areas must be conducted in accordance with the necessary permissions and under the supervision of an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).

The natural wildlife and flora surround the nVCC is of upmost importance to all the Sacyr team, with our goal being to have minimal impact on the pre-existing life around us, and to work in synergy with nature.

Sacyr UK & Ireland, the contractor building the Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), was proud to sponsor a table at this year’s CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) Wales Annual Lunch, held in July. The event brought together organisations from across the sector to celebrate civil engineering in Wales and strengthen connections within the industry.

The annual lunch is a key date in the calendar for the civil engineering community, recognising the vital contribution contractors and their partners make in delivering infrastructure projects across the country. The event was hosted by BBC Radio Wales broadcaster and Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity ambassador, Eleri Siôn, who opened the programme with an address from CECA Wales Chairman, Ross Markwell, followed by remarks from headline sponsors Future Valleys, Andrew Scott Ltd, and Walters UK.

Guests enjoyed an afternoon of networking along with ongoing conversations on civil engineering projects planned and active across Wales. The programme also included presentations from Foundation Group, a fundraising auction for the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity and was topped off by an address from keynote speaker, Ron Woodward the award-winning comedian.

The event highlighted the key role civil engineering plays in delivering projects that improve lives and communities. Sacyr UK was delighted to be a part of building connections across the infrastructure industry and bringing people together and look forward to future events and opportunities.

In June, Sacyr UK & Irelands Community Benefits team launched the start of the Primary School art competition. The contest encouraged students from the local area to get the paper and pens out, and to create drawn artwork themed around construction and the jobs that exist within it.

Several schools across Whitchurch, Grangetown and Llandaff participated in the competition with the winning school set to receive a prize of £250 worth of art supplies.

To expand the contest’s reach and give more students a chance to win the supplies for their school, the competition was extended and opened up to summer fun clubs. 

The winner has not yet been announced and will be revealed in October.

We’re excited to see what the youth of Whitchurch can create, and to see how they envision the future of construction and the new Velindre Cancer Centre.

Watch last month's construction progress!

A group of 15 Year 3 pupils from Coryton Primary, recently took a short journey to the site of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) for an afternoon of fun, exploration and recycle based learning. 

The visit was part of a collaboration between Sacyr UK and EMR Recycling, aimed at building essential skills in future generations, by educating young pupils to the science of construction and the sustainable systems that support it.

Welcomed by Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Co-ordinator Joanne O’Keefe, the pupils began their visit with a guided site walk, observing the scale of the nVCC project from a surrounding safety path. 

Inside the classroom, pupils met EMR Recycling representatives Barry Flanagan and Ben Taylor, who led an engaging session on what materials are used on site and the important role recycling plays in producing them. Pupils also learnt about reducing waste to combat climate change. 

When asked about the aims and influence of the project, Ben said: “At EMR, we believe that building a sustainable future starts with empowering young people through education. In collaboration with Sacyr, we recently delivered an engaging learning experience that introduced students to the importance of recycling, the positive impacts recycling has on the planet and how the materials we recycle can be used again to build new structures - maybe even their next school or future workplace.”

The two eco experts taught pupils the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials, giving them small samples of material to magnetically test themselves. This helped them to understand the types of metals used in everyday life and their relevance to construction.

Ben added: “Together, Sacyr UK and EMR will continue this work across schools and communities to raise awareness around recycling in the construction industry, providing hands-on learning opportunities and inspiring the next generation to lead the way in environmental responsibility.”

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to social value, educating young people and creating legacy impacts for people and the planet.”

As some readers may remember, back in July we ran an article about Sacyr UK welcoming two new apprentices, Faith and Sam, to our Finance and Community Benefits teams.

We are pleased to announce the addition of two new team members to our Technical Support and M&E (Mechanical and Electrical) departments, with Lucy Calafato and Oliver Jenkins assuming these roles.

Lucy, 26 and originally from Cardiff, studied at the University of the West of England, completing a BEng in Architecture and Environmental Engineering will be joining as an apprentice within the Technical Support team.

Eighteen year old Oliver is local to the site of the nVCC (new Velindre Cancer Centre) and studied art history and law in sixth form at Whitchurch High School. When asked about his first week he said, “My first impression after my first week is very positive, the staff at Sacyr UK are very welcoming and I'm excited to continue on.”

Community Benefits Coordinator Joanne O’Keefe oversees the onboarding of the new apprentices commented: “It’s encouraging to see our team continue to grow. I am confident that Lucy and Oliver will be valuable contributors to their respective teams.”

She also added, “The strength that comes from expanding our team is significant, and I look forward to seeing their development.”

We’re delighted to have Lucy and Oliver joining our team and have total faith that they will thrive. 

Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Coordinator (CBCo), Jo O’Keefe and Community Benefits Apprentice (CBA), Sam Rees, were delighted to join forces with Robyn Marshall of Sphere Solutions to deliver an educational experience for pupils at Springwood primary school in Llanedeyrn during their Fit & Fun Summer event.

The engaging session introduced pupils to the world of structural engineering through a fun and accessible STEM activity. Using just sticks and elastic bands, pupils were guided to build tetrahedrons. They quickly grasped the principles of construction before enthusiastically moving on to create larger and more complex models.

Sacyr UK and Sphere solutions have a longstanding collaborative relationship, with Sphere Solutions supporting Sacyr UK in the construction of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC).

The workshop is part of Sacyr UK’s wider commitment to education and skills development in South Wales, with the company currently leading the construction of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC). Sphere Solutions is working closely with Sacyr UK as a subcontractor on the landmark healthcare project.