John Burke, Solicitor, Chairperson

Role

• Chairman

Opening Statement

John Bourke has been a part of WALK for over 20 years, initially as a director and in later years as Chairman of the Board. Johns’ involvement with WALK started many years ago when he was asked to join the Board of WALK to offer help to the Board. John’s interest was in serving the Community that he worked in, and while he had no experience of Disability Services, he immersed himself in those Services and learnt to understand and support the people WALK offer service to.

Professional Background

John is a Solicitor by profession and set up a legal practise in Walkinstown in 1980. As his own practise grew, he watched and participated in the growth of WALK, from its original structure as a parttime provider of support services for people with Intellectual Disabilities to its current size as an employer of over 200 people and a staff of a similar number. As Johns experience as a Legal Practitioner evolved, so did the help and assistance he was able to provide to WALK in his capacity as a director.

Why They Serve

John is a passionate advocate for the people WALK provide service to. He has advocated for the provision of proper financial support for the organisation and has participated in WALKs growth to include Residential Care, Day Care, a Social Enterprise Provider and the provision of Internships and creating employment opportunities for the people it provides care for.

Personal Touch

John is a very active person and when he is not working for WALK, has a wish to walk or cycle every inch of the Wild Atlantic Way, including visiting all the Islands around Ireland and climbing all the Mountains around our coast. He is now on the home stretch of this journey and further adventures await.

Contact Details

John is keen to broaden the skills and experience of the Board of WALK and welcomes all communications from people who wish to serve the Intellectual Disability Community.