Corporate Responsibility central funding
In december 2007 Group Partnership invited the local Partnership Groups to submit suitable projects that would help embed Corporate Responsibility practices. Funding of up to €1500 (per project) would be made available for such projects.
The Corporate Centre Partnership Group decided to link in with St Catherine McAuley's National School (beside ESB Head Office) and sponsor an art project. This school caters for children with dyslexia from the greater Dublin area. School Principal, Paula Tracey, was enthusiastic to develop a link with ESB and was very supportive of the idea of getting the children involved in a green art project.
The Corporate Centre Partnership Group applied for funding to brighten up the school yard by painting a mural on the wall. The theme for the mural was on green / sustainable energy. After funding was agreed, the Partnership Group invited Michael Downey, Communications Manager, Sustainability, to deliver a presentation. This generated huge interest and all 81 pupils got involved in the mural project.
Local artist, Aoife Dwyer, was enlisted to help with the project. Aoife and school art teacher, Padraig Tarle, developed a theme for the mural based on the elements; earth, wind, fire and water. The pupils were asked to come up with ideas for renewable energy based on these elements. To help get ideas for the mural the pupils visited a local park, went for a walk along the canal and visited Sandymount beach. All 81 pupils came up with great ideas for the mural. Each child painted an individual picture on the wall under the supervision of Aoife and Padraig.
The Corporate Centre Partnership Group and St Catherine McAuley's school arranged an official launching on the 18th December. Luke Shinnors, Executive Director, HR, said that ESB was delighted to be associated with the project and he felt that the children should be very proud with the great work they had done.
Luke said that ESB has a lot of work ahead to reduce emissions in line with our 2020 strategy. He felt that there were some great ideas portrayed on the wall that could help with this. Luke thanked School Principal, Paula Tracey, Aoife, Padraig and the children for all their hard work on the project.
Paula thanked ESB for the funding and help with the art project. The children then made a presentation to Luke of two framed paintings. The children sang a special song to thank ESB for their help in transforming their school yard.
It was a learning opportunity for the children and they all got involved and responded with great enthusiasm. The heart warming response from the children to the project was evident on the day and reinforced for ESB the value of such partnership initiatives at community level.
