ESB – Our Proud Time to Read Sponsors
Pat O’ Doherty, CEO ESB, with children from St Patrick’s GNS in Ringsend
Pat O’ Doherty, CEO ESB, with children from St Patrick’s GNS in RingsendTime to Read is generously sponsored by ESB, and we spoke to Anne Cooney, Corporate Responsibility Lead, ESB on their involvement with the programme….
“ESB is very pleased to be Business in the Community’s national partner for the Time to Read Initiative. Now in its third year, the partnership has grown from strength to strength with almost seventy company volunteers working with six schools each week. It has been a really positive experience for our volunteer readers. They are confident in the training they are given by BITC and it’s great to see how much they enjoy the reading experience and engaging with the local community. It’s a real highlight each week and they feel they are really making a difference.
Through its Energy for Generations Fund, ESB is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at tackling educational disadvantage. ESB believes that their position as Ireland’s leading energy company means they have a vital role to play in building a brighter future and are committed to helping people reach their full potential, nurturing talent and skills that are important for Ireland’s future. From our perspective, as a leading Irish employer, it makes sense for us to support our young people in developing the skills to succeed in tomorrow’s workplace. We, in common with many other Irish companies, need access to staff with strong literacy skills and this is grounded in getting our young people off to the best educational start possible.
The Time to Read Programme is a very good fit for the company from this perspective as building literacy skills in young children is a key enabler to lifelong enjoyment of and confidence in reading. The company would encourage other organisations to get involved in Time to Read. It’s a well organised, effective programme supported by high quality academic analysis. Also, it’s great for an organisation in terms of staff engagement – our volunteers enjoy the opportunity to participate and bring great positivity and enthusiasm back to our workplace – and we all benefit from that”.
The ESB’s 6 Time to Read partnerships:
ESB Wilton, Cork – Glasheen GNS
Electric Ireland & ESB Finglas, Dublin – St. Kevin’s BNS, Finglas
ESB HQ, Dublin – St. Patrick’s GNS, Ringsend
ESB HQ, Dublin – Gardiner Street Primary School
ESB HQ, Dublin – Scoil Chaitriona, Lower Baggot Street
ESB Dundalk – Redeemer GNS, Dundalk
