Well, hopefully not 'elusive' I seriously need the 'elbow grease'. I overlooked your question. My subject area is in higher education. Specifically, it's all about educational theories and methods catered for teaching science students. Like I mentioned, my preference for a UK based writer is not because I think they're better than any other, but rather because I'm also base in the UK and would like the convenient access :).

To be more specific, I'm basically looking for more of an editor rather than a tutor I guess. I don't need lessons on my subject area, I just need extended assistance on my writing (as I only get 4 sessions with my supervisor, who ony tells me where to do more research but gives no personal contribution to the writing). I think this should be much easier for a writer, considering I'll be doing more, if not all, of the work myself, I'm simply in need of someone to help me really polish my work and help me expand on it over time (section by section). Surely this service exists, right? am I in the wrong place? lol...suggestions would be much appreciated :).

I decided to look into editing companies, and I found an agency that provides a proofreading service and do workshops on how to write essays/ dissertations etc. I think with my supervisor and this service I should be good to go. I will be meeting them for a consultation next week. Having spoken to them briefly on the phone, I feel more confident about pushing forward with my dissertation. I think it just takes time, careful planning, thorough reading and perhaps help with improving writing skills.

For the benefit of anyone looking for the same type of assistance I am (i.e. not necessarily for someone to actually do your work for you, just the extra help), I will be back to provide a review (perhaps in a couple of weeks) to let you know how this type of service has helped me with my dissertation.

Thanks to all of you who kindly contacted me, providing some valuable advice :)

That's why all the help and reviews would be much appreciated. I'm a bit uneasy about taking the risk of just having work done over the internet by someone who I hardly corresponded with. You can't trust just anyone, hence why I'd prefer a London based freelancer/ agency, as I want to be able to have physical access. Even if I don't always use that route as a means for communication, I just want the option. I'm sure meeting just once would ease my mind a little and help me build that trust. I don't know if what I'm asking for is possible, but hey..I might as well try! lol...

Thanks for the review, it's realy appreciated. Overall, are you happy you used the service? Yeah sometimes I also think I can use all the effort I put into searching for help to actually write up the work myself lol. Good point...

Unfortunately I'm not getting anything more than 4 sessions from my supervisor. 2 will be a discussion about my chosen topic, and the other two some corrections on my drafts. I don't expect any more than that to be honest. At this level, a lot more independent work and research is required I guess.

Perhaps someone with understanding in my subject area could be of assistance. I'm very hands on, so I'm not in search of someone who will do everything and I simply submit the work. I'm kind of looking for a tutor who will use the structure I give, references etc. and expand on it (it's physically writing it up that I'm sort of strapped for time with).

Thanks for the input.

Ditto. Research is key. Thanks natural

Please guys, i know we are in need of assistance and usually quite urgently, but I urge you all not to go with agencies that you have not seen good reviews for. Otherwise you are taking a big risk, and acting as the 'guinea pig'. I take my work so seriously, I would be completely mortified with such an experience. I'm really sorry to hear about your negative experience, but thanks for the alert.