Watch last month's construction progress!

Nearly a year after construction started on the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), the major contractor has marked the milestone with a video showcasing the project's incredible progress.

The video by Sacyr UK shows the progress of the build since May 2024 when the groundworks on site began.

Since then, the earthworks to prepare the site and drainage systems to support the building have been put in place. A permanent compound for the site’s offices, welfare facilities for the workers and storage areas have also been built. Formwork and rebar installation have also taken place, alongside concrete works. Foundations and retaining walls were some of the first concrete works to be carried out for the centre’s plant rooms and car parks. Multiple reinforced concrete frames have also been put in place as the primary structural system around the basement and lower ground levels of the building.

Katie Hathaway, stakeholder and engagement manager at Sacyr UK, the contractor building the nVCC on behalf of Acorn, said: “This video really demonstrates how far we’ve come in just a few short months, and the progress from now on is going to be even more evident as the build properly begins.

“It is great to have these videos and be able to look back at what we started with and how far we’ve come in that time. The whole project team, from my Sacyr UK colleagues to our great sub-contractor partners, are working tirelessly on this project to make sure it is delivered on time, as you can clearly see by this progress video.”

New Velindre Cancer Centre Project Director David Powell said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on our new Velindre Cancer Centre. This video highlights the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this vital facility to life. Each step forward takes us closer to delivering a cancer centre that will provide world-class care and support to our patients and their families. I'm grateful to all the team working hard to make this vision a reality.”

On Tuesday 11th February, Sacyr hosted a ‘Meet the Partner’ Event in the classroom at the nVCC site.  The event provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about our industry partners, provide information to help them understand how they can achieve their social value targets, create a space for engaging in meaningful discussions, and plan for future collaborations.  

We had 25 guests in attendance including new contractors, support agencies and delivery partners.  We discussed the importance of social value and community benefits and the increased impact and influence that can be made when we work together.  

The event commenced with an enlightening and moving presentation from Kate Hammond from the Velindre NHS Trust which reminded us all of the importance of the new Velindre Cancer Centre and the unquestionable impact it’s services will have on patients and their families.

We listened to very helpful presentations from Cardiff and Vale College, Working Options, CITB, Llamau, The Busy Group, Sphere Solutions, 2B Enterprising, Blue Water Recruitment, Y Prentis and People Plus. Hannah, Jo and Katie from the Sacyr Community Benefits Team also outlined the support on offer from the team in terms of workforce development and school/STEM engagement along with highlighting the new Acorn/Sacyr Community Platform as an essential tool for communication, receiving relevant updates and reporting. 

Feedback from attendees was extremely positive and conversations about how we can forge effective partnerships have continued outside of the classroom which was one of our aims!

Sacyr welcomed Joanne O'Keefe to the community benefits team working on the new Velindre Cancer Centre project, and since the moment she arrived, she has been an absolute superstar. Joanne has taken everything in her stride and has already made a significant impact on several projects.

Joanne brings extensive experience as a qualified secondary school teacher and experienced trainer. In her previous role, she served as the Apprentice and Graduate Coordinator for RCT County Borough Council. With a background in education, careers, and employability support, as well as event organisation, business recruitment, stakeholder engagement and project management, Joanne will play a vital role in ensuring the successful delivery of the KPIs associated to STEM engagement as well as focusing on apprenticeship targets.

The process to recruit a Community Benefits apprentice to the team has also begun and the Sacyr team are busy sifting through applications for this brand-new role.  The apprentice will be working closely with the team on their day-to-day tasks but specifically they will have a key responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the community platform, supporting school events and on-site activities and contributing to key reporting through data analysis and breakdown.

We want to inform community residents that our construction team will be working extended hours 6pm to 10pm during the rest of the current and upcoming week (w.e. 17 March and w.c. 24th March) for activities and timeframes within the item 4 in the granted consent s61.

On Thursday 20th March, we will be working throughout the night to allow for a third party on behalf of Welsh Water to carry out the connection of a water main supply which crosses the new Velindre Construction Site. 

We apologise for the disruption and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Thank you for your patience.

In a heartwarming gesture of support for the local community, Sacyr has donated essential equipment to Channel View Leisure Centre in a bid to help improve the facilities available to residents. The newly equipped Community Room 5 will now serve as a dedicated space for a local charity that supports children in the area with their education.

The space was filled with the generous donations of 12 desks, computer chairs, pedestals, and 12 laptops, providing valuable resources for the children in need. Ali Abdi, a dedicated community advocate and activist, played a crucial role as the dot joiner to make this donation possible.

Sacyr organised the delivery of the equipment and provided skilled handymen to assemble the items, ensuring a hassle-free experience for all involved. Ali Abdi expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thanks once again for the generous commitment and look forward to putting smiles on the faces of the local community."

This generous donation from Sacyr and the dedicated efforts of Ali Abdi highlight the power of community collaboration and support. 

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - February 2025

Sacyr were thrilled to be invited to the official opening of Adref on Friday, 24th January. This was the newest supported YMCA accommodation project dedicated to young people aged 18–24 at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It was a very special event where Jo Stevens, Secretary of State officiated the opening and residents moved into Adref in February. Sacyr with the support of two supply chain partners at Wysepower and Monex came together to ensure each apartment was fully equipped to provide a welcoming, safe, and functional home. Through the generosity of our team, we were able to provide new microwave ovens, bedding and kitchen utensils for the eighteen apartments to make a direct and lasting impact on the young people we support.

Jade Morgan, Director of Income Generation at YMCA said “I just wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for attending the opening event for Adref today. Your presence and engagement made the occasion really energetic, and we are grateful for your support. Your contribution towards these items will make a significant impact on the lives of these young individuals as they transition to independent living. Thank you for your generosity and for considering our cause”.

Sacyr were thrilled to participate once again in the Business Fives Football Tournament with two talented teams, one at the Gol Centre, Cardiff on 26th February and another at Sighthill Powerleague, Edinburgh on Friday 21st February.

This year, Sacyr were proud to support a cause close to their hearts: Cardiff YMCA Housing Association Ltd. This incredible organisation works tirelessly to break the cycle of homelessness and empower individuals to reach their full potential. They provide safe, supported accommodation, and deliver tailored programmes that help people rebuild their lives, gain independence, and thrive. Their commitment extends to supporting disadvantaged young people through initiatives like youth mentoring, healthy relationships education, and assistance for young carers. By investing in these programmes, they are creating lasting change and fostering stronger, more inclusive communities.

Cardiff City Midfielder David Turnbull attended the event as a guest speaker and presented the awards. The Cardiff event raised an incredible £2,887 for various local and national charities, with a combined total for both events raising over £8,000 to support those who need it most.

Cameron Orr, Business Development Manager for Business Fives said “Thanks for being a part of our Business Fives Cardiff Event, it was great to have the Sacyr team involved and massive well done to your individual award winner’ Connor Top Goal scorer”.

On 23rd January, members of the Sacyr Community Benefits team attended an industry event aimed to bring together organisations within the construction sector along with the skills and training network across Wales. It served as a platform to discuss vital topics such as:

• Funding and grants for staff development and upskilling: How organisations can access financial support to train and develop their workforce, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills for current and future demands in construction.
• Overcoming recruitment barriers: Addressing the skills gap in the industry and the challenges faced in attracting and retaining talent, with solutions for making the sector more appealing to a diverse range of job seekers.
• The future landscape of construction: Exploring trends and innovations in construction, including sustainability practices, digitalisation, and the impact of evolving technologies on the industry.
• Mental health and neurodiversity in the workplace: Fostering an inclusive environment that supports mental well-being and neurodiverse individuals, ensuring construction workplaces are welcoming, supportive, and productive for everyone.
• Delivering social value through the supply chain: How businesses can use their supply chains to drive social impact, from promoting local job creation to enhancing community involvement through social initiatives.

Additionally, there were ample opportunities for networking and engaging with various stakeholders providing support in these areas, such as Go Construct, Careers Wales, and representatives from further education institutions. Attendees were able to discuss how to work together to address the skills shortages and align their training strategies with industry needs.

The event saw an impressive turnout, with 170 attendees from the construction sector and related fields coming together. The conference provided a great space to learn from others, share best practices, and gain valuable insight into improving the way businesses approach challenges, streamline operations, and meet key targets. The exchange of ideas and experiences made it clear that collaboration across organisations is key to addressing the pressing challenges of recruitment, training, and development in the industry.

Picture below, from left to right:

Tim Balcon, CEO, CITB

Deborah Madden, Executive Director, CITB

Danny Clarke, Engagement Director, CITB

Katie Hathaway, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Benefits Manager, Sacyr UK

Julia Stevens, Engagement Director Wales, CITB

At the Pierhead building on January 22nd, Sacyr announced their community initiative aimed at supporting individuals accessing their trailblazing community platform in Cardiff and surrounding areas. As part of this initiative, Sacyr collaborated with Mark Wilding at Concept Management to purchase 40 refurbished laptops, in an effort to remove initial barriers to internet access and foster a strong online community.
The laptops will be provided free of charge to community, voluntary, and social organisations, with several already reserved for prominent organisations such as Llamau, Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, NDEAS (National Diversity Enterprise and Achievement Services), Sunflower Lounge, Medsheds charity, and YMCA.

Samantha Davies at City hospice after receiving their donated laptops said “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and the team at Sacyr for your generous donation of laptops to support our volunteering department. We truly appreciate your kindness, and these will make a huge difference.”

This collaboration not only supports community organisations in their efforts but also contributes to the circular economy by providing refurbished technology. All involved are excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on bringing people together and creating a thriving online community in Cardiff.

At the forefront of the new Velindre Cancer Centre project, Sacyr is proud to have made history with three women leading the way. Maria Ortega Carreras, Elena Castro Blanco, and Belén Lerma Inguanzo hold the key leadership roles of Project Director, Construction Director, and Construction Manager respectively, marking a significant industry first.

To celebrate ‘Women in Construction Week 2025’, Sacyr collaborated with their esteemed supply chain partner ‘SGM Waste Management’ to design a skip showcasing the talent and skills of women on the project and raising awareness of the phenomenal statistics compared to the UK averages.

Sacyr makes history in the construction sector as a standout leader in gender diversity and inclusivity. With a remarkable 30% female workforce on the new Velindre cancer centre project team, they've doubled the UK industry average of 15% female representation in construction. Through their partnership with the Acorn Consortium, including Kajima, abrdn, and the Development Bank of Wales, Sacyr is breaking down barriers and proving that there are no glass ceilings in ‘site’ for women in the construction industry, setting a new standard for gender equality.

Sacyr are excited to announce their new apprenticeship vacancies are now live!

There are 6 posts available:

• Business Administration Apprentice - Commercial - 2 Vacancies
• Site Engineer Apprentice
• Surveying / Setting Out Engineer Apprentice
• Community Benefits Admin Apprentice
• Graduate Trainee in Construction Planning

These roles provide a fantastic opportunity to gain exceptional experience on a unique, high profile construction project with an expert team. The apprentices will gain invaluable on-the-job experience whilst working towards a nationally recognised qualification and earning living wage. The opportunities are open to people of any age, background or experience and when employed the apprentices will receive close ongoing support, guidance and pastoral care from our Community Benefits team to ensure they have everything they need to make their experience fully positive and beneficial.

Jo from the CB Team has arranged two Apprenticeship Information Sessions to be held at Whitchurch Hub and Library on Thursday 13th and Thursday 20th March from 1.00pm – 6.00pm. These are drop in sessions where anyone who is interested in learning more about the opportunities can have an informal chat with Jo. No appointments are needed, members of the public can turn up whenever suits them and get all the information they may need to progress and even apply there and then!

We want to inform community residents that our construction team will be working extended hours overnight on Tuesday 11 March 2025 to carry out the necessary power floating of a slab after the concrete pour. In addition, our team will start onsite at 7am in order to minimise disruption and comply with the embargo restrictions on Park Road. We expect minimal disruption and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. 
 
Thank you for your patience.
 

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Newsletter 4

We want to inform community residents that our construction team will be working extended hours from 6pm to 10pm during the rest of the current and upcoming week (w.e. 7 March and w.c. 10th March) for activities within item 4 of the granted consent s61. 
 
We apologise for the disruption and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Thank you for your patience.
 

New Velindre Cancer Centre - Summary Monitoring Report - January 2025

We want to inform community residents that our construction team will be working extended hours overnight Tuesday 4th March to carry out the necessary power floating of a basement slab after the concrete pour. 

We expect minimal disruption and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Thank you for your patience.

Watch last month's construction progress!

We want to inform community residents that our construction team will not be working extended hours overnight on Wednesday 26th February as initially intended. Upcoming works in relation to power floating will be carried out tomorrow 27th February instead. In addition,  the team will start onsite at 7am in order to minimise disruption.

We expect minimal disruption and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Thank you for your patience.