Some days just escalate in to madness.

Picture this - I spring from my bed (hardly!) - overcook my porridge (blows up in the microwave) - spend ten minutes looking for the lost school shoes of my eight year old daughter and then open the door to a film crew.

The film crew from Studio Lambert are making a documnetary for Channel Four about the Benefit System in the UK and the people who run it, the people who are supported by it and the people that support them.

They had been told that I was going to pay one of my surprise visits to an A4e office in the UK. They had asked to come along.

I start again with marmite on toast - trying not to smear it across my face as the crew ask me questions about the day ahead.

I get in my car - they get in the back - Sue (my trusty assistant) has an address for an office in Doncaster - we attempt to plug it in to the Sat Nav - and of course immediately think we know better than the sweetly spoken voice that is coming from the speakers.

No doubt the film crew love the fact that they are capturing Sue and I confused and wishing we had brought a map. At this point we have not even left the driveway...

We arrive in Doncaster - South Yorkshire (phew!) - the entrance to the building is being refurbished - arrows point to the back door. I make my way, only to walk past several young women huddled under a canopy wearing dressing gowns. Ummmmm - what is going on. Who are these poor young women having to hang around in the middle of the day in their nightclothes? 

I get into the swish lift - cameras rolling - the crew misses the lift - I go back for them - where upon the strangely clad girls pile in with me.

We emerge on the third floor - absolute bedlam.

Let me explain - when i turn up unnannounced to an office - the staff are normally shocked - this time it was me that got the shock. Spiderman, santas, Pajamas, cakes, music, raffles, tombolas, laughter and shouting.

OOOhhhhh look Emma's here. I could not make sense of it all. Everyone was so involved in some act of madness that i wasn't sure what had gripped hold of them.

I found someone who looked like they might make sense - asked them where the kitchen was - and got myself a cup of tea. I bravely waded back into the melee - clutching my soothing cup of tea - and attempted further enquiries.

Ah ha - rushing past at break neck speed was Mavis - dressed as santa - red lips - I grabbed hold - Mavis shouted something about Children In Need ( I had to agree!) - and was off.

Ah ha - I got it now - the whole office, staff , customers, clients were holding a charity Children In Need day. I have never seen so much energy - so much madness. I joined in...  

Next thing i knew was my purse was being emptied - I was eating buns, playing games and all thoughts of finding out about the work Doncaster were doing to support people who were looking for work soon vanished.

I managed to catch a bit of time with some mums who are lone parents - they were about to have lunch so I blagged a jacket potato (tuna and chees - very nice). The mums are on a course called Elevate - run by an A4e tutor called Hayley. Wow - they have turned their lives around. They told me stories of how just three weeks ago how low they felt, their lack of confidence and low self esteem. How they were trappped by their negative thinking. They told me that in just three weeks they were now looking for work - being successful - planning for the future - inspiring their kids. Jacqueline had given up her jeans and trainers - and was sitting there - proud - smart, elegant and feeling fab. All the women were beautiful, glowing and inspirational - i spent a long time listening to their stories and their plans for the future. Their tutor Hayley respected by all of them for her Firm and Fair approach.

Back into the madness - draw the final raffle - hand over more money! - and big hugs all round - I get into my car - smiling and exhausted.

Thank you Doncaster - you shocked me!!!

Arrive home - in time to give the kids a squeeze before bed - and carefully place the wandering school shoes by the back door  - ready for tomorrow.

What a day.