Support Person/ Companion - on PIP & UC for Mental Health Issues

Hello.
I have had that same support person attend all of my benefits interviews, and reviews over several years. Although I always find them extremely challenging, to say the least, it’s made all the difference having her there. She also supported me in completing all of my forms, so knows the whole story. She has retired and will no longer available to attend future meetings with me. I feel completely out of my depth to attend alone, but have no-one else who could come. Is there any other sources of help available that I could investigate. I would pay for the service, for someone I felt comfortable with.

I have connected to local mental health services in the past (e.g. Mind, Rethink Mental Health etc but no-one was ever available to attend such reviews.

I’ve also wondered if they’d ever allow a therapist - either via zoom (or maybe via a mobile phone) to be present?

Failing that, if I found a local therapist who would be willing to attend with me in person, would that be acceptable?

I’d be very grateful for any suggestions, or experience in this area at all.

I cannot imagine going in alone.

Thank you very much for any help.

Warm regars

Hi BIS
Many thanks for responding, and for the link. I’ll check out one source that I’ve not seen before.

If you/anyone has any comments regarding me taking a local counsellor/therapist (if I can find someone willing), I would really appreciate that. Is there any reason you can think of why the Benefits people would/could object to this?
Thanks again
Lottie