Bermuda may be a small island but it is full of unsung heroes — inspirational residents who are making a real difference in their communities and improving the lives of others, without expecting any recognition or praise. In our regular feature, we celebrate the incredible achievements of the ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things.

Nadine Lapsley-Dyer has always been passionate about working with children.

The former teacher has been volunteering for 15 years with an organisation that provides helping services to families and children. “If we can work with our children now, then we can develop a better society with productive, loving, caring, positive individuals,” the 65-year-old Devonshire resident said.

“My passion is helping children and youth be positive, educated and loving young people.”

Ms Lapsley-Dyer is the vice chair of the Inter-Agency Committee for Children and Families (IAC) and the chair of the training subcommittee.

Her involvement with the organisation has ranged from being a member to being the treasurer and chair of the executive committee.

Ms Lapsley-Dyer enjoys working with a team of helping professionals committed to ensuring that children and families receive quality services by advocating for what is needed to meet their changing needs, and developing initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of children.

“My focus in life is on how can I make a difference in someone’s life and I feel my purpose is to serve, because there is just so much out there that needs to be done,” Ms Lapsley-Dyer said.

“I see the children as our future, and I’ve always said if we can invest in our children, if we spend more time when they are young, we have to spend less time when they are older. And by less time, I mean working in Westgate or working with problem children.”

Ms Lapsley-Dyer has a Master’s degree in special education and worked in the United States until her return to Bermuda in 1982, when she joined the Child Development Project as the language programme coordinator. She worked for the Prison Service for 12 years, coordinating the education programme.

During this time, she also taught child development part-time at Bermuda College and the Community School.

After a stint working at the Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre, Ms Lapsley-Dyer decided to go back to her first love: teaching.

She became a substitute teacher and “truly enjoyed the experience” because she “got an opportunity to see children directly, how they were developing, what was impacting our children in Bermuda, our education system”.

She added: “I’ve been in the trenches, at the preschool level all the way up to adult level in working with the inmates.

“When I come to the table, I bring with me experiences of what I know is happening in Bermuda that’s impacting our children and families.”

Ms Lapsley-Dyer then joined the Bermuda National Standards Committee part-time as manager, saying: “As a result of being able to work with them part-time, I spend most of my time with IAC.”

The IAC aims to maximise the impact of the collective service provision to children and families by providing best-practice training and advocacy through a collaborative process of engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

Over the years, the IAC has evolved into a network for agencies seeking to enrich services and respond to the changing needs of children and families.

But Ms Lapsley-Dyer’s dedication to the community goes beyond this. She has been involved with every youth initiative at her church, St Paul AME, including the development and running of the homework club at Victor Scott Primary School.

She is also the chair of the advisory boards of the church school and coordinates the Adopt a School Initiative at her church. She was also part of the Education Planning Team, the strategic planning process at Bermuda College, and sat on the executive of Bermuda Overcoming Learning Disabilities.

But Ms Lapsley-Dyer’s heart firmly lies with the IAC.

“We need to let people know that we are here and we are not going anywhere, especially in these economic times when families are hurting, when children are hurting,” she said. “We need to advocate for them, be a collective voice for them.”

Since 2012, the organisation has been compiling research on the needs of vulnerable children and families, including an analysis of where gaps might exist.

This has led to the development of a national Children’s Agenda of Priorities and a Continuum of Care and Services, which are both nearly complete.

• For more about the IAC, visit www.iacbermuda.org and www.facebook.com/IACBda, or e-mail iac@prevention.bm

• Do you know an Unsung Hero who deserves recognition? Call Lisa on 278-0137 or e-mail lsimpson@royalgazette.com