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.

Watch last month's construction progress!

Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (NVCC) spent time volunteering at a Caerphilly charity in December as part of its pledge to support local charities over the Christmas period.  

The ToyBox Project, based in Caerphilly, is one of the charities supported by Sacyr UK, and it provides new and used toys free of charge to children from families experiencing financial hardship.

Members of Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Team Jo O’keefe, Hannah Jenkins, Sam Rees, and Katie Hathaway, were joined by other Sacyr UK NVCC colleagues, including Logistics Coordinator Damian Talis, Commercial Manager Anthony Robson, Architect and On-Site Technical Officer Adriana Lizeth Ramírez Hernández, Project Controls specialist Andrea Toledo, and Head of Procurement Javier Jorba Coloma, met with ToyBox Project Manager Donna Pearce O’Halloran, who welcomed the team and the opportunity to of having the volunteers to help with the increased activity during the festive season.
The Sacyr UK team focused on sorting and organising donated toys onto shelves to prepare for distribution to families in need – they also carried out toy testing to identify any faulty batteries and ensure they were safe.

Throughout the day donations continued to pour in and the team managed the high volume of toys coming through the door. The team sorted over three bins of toys and restocked the shop floor to create space for new donations. Additionally, Sacyr subcontractor SGM Waste Management arranged for a refuse collection vehicle to remove broken or unusable toys that could not be collected. 

Following the success of the day, CBT Workforce Development Coordinator Hannah Jenkins was inspired to volunteer independently to further help the ToyBox Project with its fulfilment efforts.

Sacyr UK & Ireland colleagues Jo O’keefe, Hannah Jenkins, Sam Rees, Katie Hathaway, Damian Talis, Anthony Robson, Adriana Lizeth Ramírez Hernández, Andrea Toledo, and Javier Jorba Coloma, alongside Donna Pearce O’Halloran from ToyBox Project.

The new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) has welcomed four new members to its Acorn Ambassadors board.

The Acorn Ambassador scheme has been in place since the project broke ground and supports and advises on the project’s prospective and ongoing community benefit scheme. It communicates news to local residents and attends community events to raise awareness of the project’s social values. Its members also advocate for the project to the local community.  

Four new board members have now been recruited to the scheme, further strengthening the connections between the nVCC project and communities and charities across Cardiff and the local region. 

Charity fundraiser and local businessman Lindsay Doyle has been recruited to the board. He brings extensive experience in the financial sector as well as in fundraising, and is a well-known character in the Cardiff business world. 

Local musician, student and technical engineer at Diff Radio, Meg Uppington has also been appointed to the board. She offers valuable knowledge of the local youth culture and emerging trends. 

Fellow Diff Radio team member Matt Cutrupi has also been appointed. Matt is the manager of Diff Radio, as well as running his own businesses he has extensive knowledge of social media engagement, youth relations, and cultural trends, making him a welcome addition to the board.

Velindre fundraiser and Director of Edie & Ludlow Marketing Agency, Alexandra Otley has also joined the board. Alex’s strong track record of fundraising, particularly for the current cancer centre, made Alex an obvious candidate, as well as her skills in global marketing and digital strategy.

The Acorn Ambassadors board is chaired by Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits Manager Katie Hathaway, and is supported by members of the nVCC Community Benefits Team. 

Applications for new board members remain open, and interested parties should apply through the following Microsoft forms Link: 
Acorn Ambassador Application Form – Fill in form
 

Watch last month's construction progress!

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - December 2025

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Newsletter 7

Velindre University NHS Trust was pleased to welcome the Chief Medical Officer for Wales for a visit that provided a comprehensive look at the broad work across the Trust and the progress being made on the new Velindre Cancer Centre. 

Professor Isabel Oliver was appointed the Chief Medical Officer for Wales in April 2025 and in her role provides clinical leadership and independent professional advice to the Welsh Government about health and public health matters. 

Prof Oliver’s visit was also an opportunity to showcase the scale of the new Velindre Cancer Centre site, the clinical ambition behind the project and the benefits the new centre will bring for patients, families and staff. 

During the visit, Prof Oliver heard from a number of colleagues across the Trust highlighting our organisational priorities, the background to the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre, the role and impact of the Welsh Blood Service, our approach to medical leadership and the growing strengths of our research and development portfolio.  

Velindre University NHS Trust Interim Chief Executive Carl James said: “It was a privilege to welcome the Chief Medical Officer and to provide a full picture of the Trust’s work - from the essential national role of the Welsh Blood Service to the transformative plans for our world-class new Velindre Cancer Centre. The visit highlighted the passion, expertise and determination found across our teams, and the shared commitment across NHS Wales to deliver the highest quality of care and best outcomes for our patients and donors.”

The Chief Medical Officer was given a tour of the new Velindre Cancer Centre site, where she was able to see first-hand the progress being made and meet members of the project team leading its development. 

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Professor Isabel Oliver: “I was delighted to visit the new Cancer Centre site and see the progress being made. I was impressed by the ambition of the team to improve health outcomes for the people of Wales and to make Wales a world leader in the field of cancer treatment and I look forward to working with them to make this a reality.”

The visit showcased the scale of the build, the clinical vision shaping the future of cancer care to deliver improved care to patients and the sustainable features designed with patients and staff at its core.

Velindre University NHS Trust Executive Medical Director Jacinta Abraham said: “The visit was an important moment to demonstrate the clinical ambition that underpins everything we do right across the Trust. From research and innovation to medical leadership and the design of our new Velindre Cancer Centre, our focus is on improving outcomes and creating the highest-quality care for people across Wales. We were delighted to share that vision with the Chief Medical Officer.” 

The visit underlined Velindre's continued drive to deliver world-class services for the people of Wales and our progress towards opening the new Velindre Cancer Centre in Spring 2027. 

Sacyr UK, the main contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), held a coffee morning between its community benefit team and the subcontractors helping to build the centre. During the coffee morning, they discussed Sacyr’s commitment to social value and the positive impact the project will have on the community.

The coffee morning was attended by representatives from six subcontractors working on the project, including Nelco Radiation Shielding, Mac Scaffolding, Pacegrade, Falcon 3, and ventilation experts, Zitron. 

Leading the discussions was Sacyr UK’s Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager, Katie Hathaway, Community Benefits Coordinator, Jo O’Keefe, and Workforce Development Coordinator, Hannah Jenkins.

As part of the morning, Sacyr UK and its subcontractors discussed how they can support the project’s social value objectives more effectively and generated new ideas to help and engage with the local community.

Workforce Development Coordinator for Sacyr UK, Hannah Jenkins, said: “We understand the importance of social value and want to make a meaningful difference beyond the work we deliver.

“Here at Sacyr UK, we are committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen the local community, by creating opportunities to ensure the positive impact of our project. We would like to thank the subcontractors who attended the coffee morning and contributed positively to in the discussion on how we can better serve the local community.” 

Members of Sacyr UK’s Community and Workplace Development team were at the Purple Tuesday’s job fair at St David’s Centre in Cardiff city centre recently, encouraging and supporting those with disabilities get back into work.

Sacyr UK’s Hannah Jenkins Katie Hathaway were joined by Dan Biddle, Chief Executive of the National Diversity Employment And Advisory Service, at the fair where they spent the afternoon engaging with shoppers, introducing them to the career opportunities available in construction and helping people who are struggling to find work.

Dan Biddle began his career as a construction manager before he was seriously injured in the 2005 London terrorist attacks. He spent a year in hospital before he was able to rebuild his life and retrained as access consultant and gained his National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) status in 2007. He now works tirelessly to ensure access to career opportunities for people with disabilities through his company, Nationwide Access Consultants.

Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), is looking to launch an initiative through its Disability Access Employment Academy, in partnership with National Diversity Employment And Advisory Service to help and support disabled people into meaningful employment, as well as providing an inclusive environment.

Katie Hathaway, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager at Sacyr UK, said: “It’s important to help those people with disabilities and create a pathway back into work for them to restore their confidence and ensure that their opportunities aren’t limited by circumstances.

“Attending the Purple Tuesday job fair gave us a deeper understanding of how we can help disabled people into work, helping to provide financial stability for them. We are looking forward to partnering with Nationwide Access Consultants to engage with those in the community and to create opportunities for them.”

Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has celebrated the latest phase of construction with a topping out ceremony.

The ceremony was marked by placing a spring of pine on the highest point on of the building – a symbolic gesture and a construction tradition that acknowledges the hard work and dedication of all those involved. 

Members of Sacyr UK project team were joined by Senedd Member Julie Morgan MS, Sacyr’s Operations Director for the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, Alejandro Mendoza Monfort, as well as David Powell, Project Director for Velindre University, and Carl James, Interim Chief Executive of Velindre NHS Trust, as well as local councillors and representatives of Welsh Government to celebrate this pivotal milestone in the project. 

Attendees were also treated to a special address from Welsh rugby legend, Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies, who attended in recognition of his extensive work with the current Velindre Cancer Centre.

Following the ceremony, guest and the construction team were invited to enjoy a complimentary hog roast lunch provided by Sacyr UK, as well as Welsh cakes baked by Community Benefits Teams’ Workforce Development Co-ordinator, Hannah Jenkins.

Alejandro Mendoza Monfort, Sacyr’s Operations Director for the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe said: “It was fantastic to have so many people join us for the topping out ceremony and celebrate this milestone in the construction phase of the new Velindre Cancer Centre. 

“It was a special event to come together to appreciate and celebrate how far the project has come. It is really amazing to see it coming together and was great to have so many people attend to mark the milestone with us.”

As the project moves into the next stage of construction, more of the internal fit-out will start alongside preparing the building for commissioning ahead of its opening in Spring 2027.

Sacyr UK & Ireland would like to give a massive festive thank you to their suppliers supporting in the donation efforts this holiday season. 

Christmas can be an isolating period, especially for those struggling with poverty, lack of means and social support. In the UK alone nearly 2 million children facing material deprivation, with Christmas being a particularly strenuous time. This is why Sacyr UK & Ireland has made a special effort in collaboration with their generous subcontractors to give back to those who have very little. 

Over 120 selection boxes and advent calendars have been donated to those in need, to be donated to Cardiff’s YMCA along with Latch Children’s Cancer Charity and local children’s Hospice Ty Hafan. These small items make a world of difference to families struggling during a particularly tough time.

Sacyr would like to thank their suppliers; Boss Security, Keyline Civils Specialist, Cardiff Rugbi Supplies, ITS Recruitment, Robert Price and Speedy Hire for their kind and generous donations -and to wish them a very merry Christmas. 

The new Velindre Cardiff Cancer Centre construction site will be closed for the Christmas period from Wednesday 24th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026. 

Normal construction activities will resume on Monday 5th January 2026.
                                                           
Key points for the shutdown:
•    All construction work will finish by Tuesday 23rd December.
•    Site safety measures include securing tools, materials, plant, scaffolding, and temporary works.
•    Security will be maintained throughout the shutdown.
•    Emergency protocols remain in place

On behalf of the Project Team, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy new year.

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.