Velindre Cancer Centre: Doing so Standfirst
Feb
Welcome to the Acorn/Sacyr UK’s new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project news update.
Every quarter we will tell you about project progress, what is going on within the community around the build, as well as initiatives that are taking place around the local communities connected with the project.
Culture
Acorn and Sacyr UK, the consortium building the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC), has launched a new, free online community platform to provide a wealth of resources, collaboration and opportunities.
The platform, which is accessible to all and offers services to anyone who is aged 14 and over, was officially launched by Julie Morgan MS, the Senedd member for Cardiff North – where the new Velindre Cancer Centre is being built – at an event in the Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay.
Sacyr UK, the contractor building the nVCC wanted to create a platform which made social value and working with the south Wales community more collaborative. It also wanted to easily help connect businesses with volunteer opportunities.
The platform has since mushroomed into a space where people can build a CV and access job boards. It offers online science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) tutorials for secondary school age children, allows local people to get access to a Tool Library and video lessons on how to use the tools they borrow, as well as connecting philanthropic businesses with charities who are in need.
Charity associates, local councillors, voluntary organisations, and supply chain partners gathered at the launch for a demonstration of the platform from its developers, Prospect Digital. It is the first of its kind that Prospect Digital has developed.
Julie Morgan MS praised Sacyr UK for its work in the community:
“I have been very impressed so far with how Sacyr UK is working with the community, creating jobs and apprenticeships, and to date teaching more than 2000 local school children about the importance of STEM.
“The community platform is another way that the community can further benefit from the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre. I’m so excited to hear about how people are making the most of the platform and gaining new skills and opportunities from it.”
Whitchurch councillor Marc Palmer said the platform looked great and will benefit many in his community. He said:
“It’s great to see community engagement in support of the project really kicking in at this stage of the project. The development is already providing more benefits to the local community than the building alone and this new platform will move it further in that direction.
“The tool library is going to be particularly useful to local residents. If you don’t have a tool for a job, then you can go along to the project site and borrow one as well as getting a how-to guide along with it. I might even borrow something for a job I need doing, so I can see that being really useful to the community.”
Fellow Whitchurch councillor Kate Carr added:
“This is a major project improving cancer treatment facilities – what’s important about the new community platform is that it extends beyond treatment to prevention of ill health through offering access to decent jobs, green initiatives and a wide range of community benefits improving well-being in our local area. It feels like this is what the nVCC team is working towards and we are very supportive of that.”
To access the Acorn community platform, visit: https://acorn-sacyr.dreams-lms.org/rcd/login.php
Nurture
One of the crane lift supervisors working on the new Velindre Cancer Centre project is 73-year-old Barry Fabian.
Barry works for sub-contractor MPS Crane Operators and turned 73 in January, but still loves coming to work each day on site and helping to build this state-of-the-art health facility.
We caught up with Barry and asked him what keeps him working in all weathers on a building site, when most people his age are long retired.
“I just enjoy working. Of course, the money comes in handy too and one of my daughters is heading to Melbourne to live next year and so I’m saving up to give her a good start over there, but also, I enjoy it.
“I’m not much of a drinker, but I do go out for the company here and there, but not in pubs as such, so it’s great to come to work and get to spend the days with and chat with a good bunch of people.”
Barry has been working on building sites up and down the country for around 55 years and says he loves the job:
“It keeps me fit and healthy, but obviously sometimes it’s not as good when you have to get up in the morning in the really cold weather or pouring rain, but all in all I enjoy it.”
Most of MPS’s team on site here at the new Velindre Cancer Centre are in their 20s to 50s, but Barry says that adds to the attraction of staying in work in his mid-seventies.
“They are a good bunch, and we have a wide spectrum of experience here and so some do look up to me I suppose and ask about my experience and knowledge in the industry.
“It’s nice to see them listening, learning and progressing and I enjoy helping them with that.”
Barry and MPS will be on site for the duration of the project while the crane works are finished and we at Sacyr UK wish him, and the MPS team, all the best on their next project and hope to see Barry continuing to work and sharing his expertise for many years to come.
Apprenticeship vacancy
Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre is on the lookout for an apprentice to join its Community Benefits team.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter, with either a business administration or communications background to join them in spearheading local initiatives, news updates and community schemes around the project.
As part of the role, they will get the opportunity to liaise with stakeholders, partners and those working on the build. They will form part of the team that will liaise with the community and create legacy projects that will serve the local communities for generations to come.
They will also have a chance to run a brand-new community platform and forum and update the project website with news and happenings from the build.
Katie Hathaway, stakeholder and community benefits manager on the project, said of the role:
“This is the first time we are creating a role like this on a Sacyr UK site and so the successful candidate will be able to make this job their own. They will help with all aspects of the community benefits initiatives and will be a key part of the work we carry out here.”
If you are interested in hearing more about the community benefits apprenticeship job, please email Katie Hathaway at khathaway@sacyr.com.
Future
The past ten months have been busy and fruitful ones for the nVCC project team. Here are a few stats about what Acorn, the consortium behind the new Velindre Cancer Centre, has achieved in that time:
- Donated 200 accumulative hours working with schools or pupils from around south Wales
- Engaged and worked with 3520 pupils with education around Construction
- Employed fifty-one people on the project who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Made lots of plans to help and work with more community groups, charities and local organisations in 2025.
The next resident drop-in is scheduled for Wednesday February 26th, , between 6 and 7pm at the Noddfa building at 19 Park Road by the Velindre Cancer Centre rear car park, where members of the Acorn, Sacyr and Velindre team will be on hand to discuss progress on our works and answer any questions.
These will take place every last Wednesday of the month for the duration of the construction programme.
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