Don't you just love social media? The other night I was watching Channel 4's The Undateables when, moved by one of my favourite shows, I tweeted 'I think I have something in my eye #undateables'. Then, to my surprise and delight, one of the actual stars of the show, a woman who runs a dating project for people with learning disabilities, tweeted me back.
We got chatting, I pitched the idea for a feature, and soon afterwards I was lucky enough to interview her for the Sunday Mirror. And it was all I could do to hold back the tears again!
Hayley Ostler runs FitzRoy's Love4Life, a friendship and dating project for members who may have autism, Down's syndrome or acquired brain injuries. She told me all about chaperoning the members on dates, helping them with conversation ettiquette, and filming the hit Channel 4 show.
And, with several of the couples going on to have long-term relationships or even get married (Hayley's due to be a maid-of-honour next year!) the project she runs is helping to transform lives.
Thanks, Hayley, for filling me in on your amazing work! The interview in full is here - http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/kind-hearted-woman-set-up-11376477 And for anyone else who's interested in telling their story: please do drop me a social media message!