60 Seconds with Ryan O’Rourke – Davy Group

Friday, December 4th, 2015

Name: Ryan O’Rourke

Company: Davy Group

  • What is your favourite part of the Time to Read programme?

20151015_093055My favourite part of the Time to Read programme is seeing the children you read with coming out of their shell and progressing their literacy skills over the course of the year. It is amazing to see the difference in the children’s confidence and ability from the first day to the last and this really highlights what a great programme Time to Read is.

  • How long have you been involved?

This is both mine and Davy’s second year involved in the Time to Read programme. We are delighted to be partnered with O’Connell’s Primary School again this year. Patsy O’Keefe, the principal and Kate Dilworth, the schools literacy teacher along with the rest of the staff in O’Connell’s school should be applauded for the work they have done. It is a fantastic school.

  • Which part of the programme is the most fun for you?

The workplace visit is great fun. The children loved coming in to our offices last year to see where their readers work. It seemed to have a lasting effect as the children would talk about their experience in the weeks after. We haven’t had the workplace visit yet with this year’s children but they must have heard from last year’s students as they genuinely seem excited. We can’t wait!

  • What is the biggest challenge?

We all have extremely busy workdays and the ‘to –do’ list never seems to get any smaller. It is a challenge to ensure that this doesn’t affect our time to read with the children as it is extremely important to not miss your reading day and let the child down.

  • If I could tell all the students in the programme one thing what would it be?

The childrens’ comprehension of what they are reading is the single most important part of this process. From my experience when the children can describe in their own words what they have read to me and have a discussion on the story, it really engages the student and improves their literacy skills.

  • My hope for the future of the programme is…..

For more and more businesses to get involved and partner with schools across the country. This is an excellent programme that our volunteers love being involved in and the students really enjoy. I would love to see this part of the school curriculum in the future as it can inspire and help children reach their full potential.

  • Just for fun! Who is your hero and why?

Maureen Forrest, founder of the HOPE Foundation. Maureen has dedicated the last 15 years to helping the street children of Kolkata (Calcutta). Maureen has built the HOPE Foundation from scratch to become the largest and most recognized NGO in Kolkata with offices both in Ireland and the UK. She has raised nearly €20million to date touching the lives of 25,000 children. She is a real hero.