A COUNCIL worker who has helped visually impaired people find their way for the past 20 years has been nominated for an award.

Sylvia Chapman says she has helped over a thousand blind and visually impaired people to live more independently since she began her job as a visual impairment coordinator at Enfield Council 18 years ago, though she has worked for the council for a total of 32 years.

She will go head to head with refuse collectors and social workers from across the country to battle it out as one of the unsung heroes to be recognized in the Council Worker of the Year awards. The winners will be presented with awards at a dinner on the last night of the Local Government Association annual conference in Harrogate on July 2.

Mrs Chapman, 64, is one of a two-strong team who are tasked with visiting people in their own homes when they are registered blind.

Sight problems can develop very suddenly, which means she has to help them people overcome the shock, as well as helping them to adapt their homes with special equipment such as talking microwaves and clocks, and making sure they get help to carry on their lives as normal.

She said: “I just can’t tell you how much I love the work. I know that I make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes when I go to people who have just been registered blind they think it’s the end of the world come they do not want to move on, and then they realise there is still a whole world out there.”

Mrs Chapman runs two clubs for visually impaired people on the east and west of the borough, as well as a handiwork club.

She also organises holidays several times a year, taking clients to specially adapted hotels, and to the theatre, seaside and riverboat cruises.

For the past 11 years she has also a dinner dance for the blind in her own time, which has helped to raise funds for visually impaired clubs.

Mrs Chapman, who lives in Turnford, Hertfordshire, and is married with three children and five grandchildren, says she has no plans to retire next year.

To vote for Sylvia go to: http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards/ Click category ‘Caring 2009’ to the right, click ‘Sylvia Chapman’ click Vote Now and follow the instructions.

You can also text your vote - text the following LGATV 5 SylviaC to 80039 If you are unable to use the web and need a postal ballot form telephone 020 8379 4470.

If you are interested in joining one of her clubs, phone 020 8379 8126.