Velindre Rebuild: Autumn 2025 update

Welcome to the latest Acorn/Sacyr UK 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 community connected with the project.

Culture

Topping out ceremony

A topping out ceremony has taken place to celebrate the completion of the main structure of the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC).

Representatives from Velindre University NHS Trust, the Acorn consortium and Sacyr UK were joined by Welsh Government colleagues, Julie Morgan MS, local councillors, and Velindre Cancer Charity President Jonathan Davies, to fix a sprig of pine to the highest point of the building, a construction tradition that acknowledges the hard work and dedication of all those involved.

Interim Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust, Carl James, said:

“We’re proud to see the nVCC taking shape and to be one step closer to opening a facility that will provide patients, families and our staff with great care.”

Jorge Beceiro Castresana, General Manager of the nVCC and part of Acorn Consortium, said: “It has been wonderful to celebrate this important stage of the build. We are proud to be contributing to this important building that will make a difference to the people of Wales.”

As the project enters the next stage of construction, work will now focus on fitting out the inside of the building.

Timber frame

The new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the timber frame that forms the heart of the building known as the Lolfa (living room), which people will pass through when visiting.

One of the largest timber frames of its kind in the UK, the Lolfa will form a central core space for patients, families, and staff. Extending the full height of the building, it will feature a café, amphitheatre-style seating, and views into the entrance garden.

Project Director, David Powell described the installation as “a hugely exciting milestone” that reflects the centre’s commitment to creating a modern, low carbon hospital that places people at its heart.”

Designed by architects White Arkitekter and built by Sacyr UK, the timber frame aims to create an open, flexible, naturally calming space for staff, patients and their families. Using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam, the structure combines warm inviting spaces, strength, and low-carbon performance, supported by steelwork for stability and flexibility.

Nurture

Sidekick Day

The new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project team welcomed their children to site for Sacyr UK’s first Sidekick Day. Eight children enjoyed a day of discovery, learning what their parents do at work and exploring the world of construction.

Guided by Community Benefits Coordinator Jo O’Keefe, with support from Hannah Jenkins and Sam Rees, the young sidekicks toured the office, got to wear PPE, and took part in construction-based activities. From building towers with dowel rods and rubber bands to pasta-and-marshmallow structures.

The children also joined a scavenger hunt spelling out “Velindre,” toured the site to see the project taking shape, and made seed bombs to help boost biodiversity in nVCC’s green areas. These were thrown onto “Maggie’s stockpile,” increasing pollination and future landscaping.

The day was filled with learning, laughter, and a chance for the next generation to see construction in action.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

The new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project team got their oven gloves and aprons to take part in their very own Macmillan Coffee Morning. Cancer is a cause close to many people’s hearts at Sacyr UK, especially as it is the team building the nVCC. Everyone had a chat, shared a coffee and cake, and discussed how cancer has affected them and their loved ones. The team raised more than £400 for the charity.

Cardiff Half Marathon for Llamau

Sacyr UK design leads Carlos Acuna and Vincenzo Nigro and General Manager Jorge Beceiro Castresana took part in the Cardiff Half Marathon alongside 29,000 runners to raise funds for Llamau. Together, they raised £871, enough to provide up to 9 nights of safe accommodation or nearly 30 in-house counselling sessions for young people and vulnerable women facing homelessness. Well done to Carlos, Vincenzo and Jorge for their dedication and fundraising efforts for such an important cause.

Future

Autumn has been a season of activity for Acorn and Sacyr UK at the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) with staff attending jobs fairs, welcoming student visitors and supporting local charities.

Over 100 Cardiff University students visited the nVCC project site to learn about construction and infrastructure development. Students enjoyed a presentation on the centre’s design and sustainability features, followed by a site tour about environmental preservation and safety in construction.

Sacyr UK’s Community Benefits team joined the Cardiff Into Work Jobs Fair at Sophia Gardens, alongside 80 employers and 20 construction companies. The event provided an opportunity to connect with job seekers, share project updates, and highlight roles within the team. Subcontractors NAB and Prichard’s also attended with Blue Water Recruitment and Sphere Solutions.

Prostate Cymru’s Dai Johns visited the nVCC for talks on recognising and preventing prostate cancer. Dai, diagnosed at 56 and now cancer-free, shared his story and the importance of early detection. Over 2,500 men in Wales are diagnosed annually, with 1 in 8 men affected. Dai praised the sessions at nVCC as “two of the best” he has delivered out of nearly 500.

The next resident drop-in is scheduled for Wednesday 28 January 2026, at the Noddfa building at 19 Park Road by the Velindre Cancer Centre rear car park, from 6pm to 7pm where members of the Acorn, Sacyr and Velindre team will be on hand to discuss progress on our works and answer any questions.

These take place on the last Wednesday of the month for the duration of the construction programme.

For more information about the project, visit the website at: https://newvelindre.info/

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