Sylvie MACLE

I have worked with hundreds of visually impaired Camden residents over the last 20 years to help them regain or retain their independence in the safest possible way.

The job needs a holistic approach taking into account their motivation, goals, other disabilities, culture, etc.

It includes a wide spectrum of skills, that requires understanding different eye conditions, counselling, coaching, teaching orientation and mobility skills, braille, independent living skills in the kitchen, advising on the latest technology, conducting lighting assessments, referring to other services and charities as and when needed.

My clients come from all walks of life, and from dozens of countries around the world.

I have worked with children all the way to people who are 100+

I worked as a mobility officer to teach their 40 visually impaired staff how to get to their brand new building on Judd Street.

Once everybody was confident with the new route, I moved to work at RNIB Garrow House to support 20 live-in visually impaired people.

I organised outings, social evenings and helped them with anything that would enhance their quality of life. The job ended when Garrow House had to close due to fire regulations.

I then spent 5 weeks living in a hotel with our 20 residents until they could all be re-housed elsewhere. I was on standby 24/7.

I then was sub-let to work for Barking & Dagenham council for 6 months.

This role was very diverse and included things like:

• Promoting his various concert tours or theatre plays
• Writing up a monthly newsletter for his fan-club
• Taking countless photos for various publications
• Supplying archives to TV studios for documentaries, etc.
• Acting as an interpreter during press conferences in France
• Facilitating communication at Studio Davou, in Paris (where he recorded his last album)
• Helping with general support at various conventions in the USA
• Posting out signed photos when requested
• Liaising with hundreds of fans on his behalf

Providing general secretarial support to the team.

Sending out telexes, taking minutes at various meetings, typing letters and anything else that required a fast typist.

I worked as a locum for six years, specialising in very short contracts that lasted an average of one week ~ max one month.

I craved variety and worked with 6 different recruitment agencies.

My bilingual skills were very popular with French speaking banks, other French companies (L'Oreal, etc), and other institutions dealing with investments, corporate banking, etc.

One week I'd work as a P.A for a single person, the next I'd be working for a floor of 15 traders in a very pressurised environment.

I mostly provided secretarial support but it extended to liaising with embassies to get visas, currencies, book hotels around the world, etc. which, back in the early 90s was not as easy without the internet !