AN Okehampton woman who knows only too well the effects of mental and physical illness, combined with the need to claim benefits, has been moved to lend a helping hand to people who may be in the same situation.

Alexandra Denman was on sickness benefits for several years, having suffered with complex long term physical and mental health issues.

Alexandra said: 'There are far too many news stories out there at the moment of individuals and families struggling to survive on benefits.

'There have even been severe cases of people taking their own lives due to the benefit cuts.

'That dreaded letter that comes through the door to tell you the gloomy news of the government's latest decision, sometimes is too much to bear for the vulnerable in our society and they can't see a way out of the terrible situation that they have been forced into.

'Having read another story recently about a grandfather, who took his own life after receiving a letter telling him he was going to lose his benefit, it became only too real that people are suffering.

'I myself am disabled; I suffer from bipolar disorder, in which I am now in full recovery from, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), fibromyalgia, endometriosis, pernicious anaemia and asthma.

'I was severely ill for four years, and was in a wheelchair.

'I claimed employment and support allowance (ESA), as I began to recover I felt that I was able to work part time. I got a job with Rethink Mental Illness and my ESA was dissolved immediately.'

Alexandra said she still received disability living allowance (DSA) and her husband still gets a carer's allowance — they also still receive housing benefit,

Alexandra said: 'I know first-hand what it is like to have the endless assessments, the constant having to prove that you are unwell and the patronising letters.

'I understand how gut-wrenching it is to wait for the post every morning, hoping that there will be no bad news.'

Alexandra said, based on her experiences, she was moved to put together the following list of oranisations who are able to help people reaching crisis point with their benefits, and whom she found helpful herself.