01
Take the notes
A clear, factual record of who said what, so you can listen instead of scribbling. The notes are yours, typed up within 24 hours.
You don't have to walk in alone.
Facing an HR meeting, mediation, court or a formal interview on the Sunshine Coast, in Gympie or Brisbane, or on the Gold Coast? I sit beside you, take notes, ask for breaks and keep you steady. Support, never advice.
Message from the founder
Not a lawyer. Not an advocate. Not a counsellor. Just someone steady, independent and completely on your side of the table, so you can think clearly, speak for yourself and walk out with a record of everything that was said.
Dalia Croxton
Founder & support person
The role
Five quiet
jobs. One
big difference.
02
Call the pause
When it gets too much, I'll calmly ask for a break, or for a question to be repeated. You get time to breathe and regroup.
03
Handle the little things
Water, tissues, finding the room, a quiet seat beforehand. Small things that free up your head for what matters.
04
Be the steady one
Someone on your side of the table who isn't emotionally tangled up in it, before, during and after.
05
Debrief after
We step outside and go over what happened, what was agreed and what comes next, while it's still fresh.
In theroom
What I do for you
- Sit with you through the meeting, hearing or interview
- Take notes and send you a typed copy
- Ask for breaks or for a question to be repeated
- Help you get your own thoughts in order beforehand
- Meet you before and debrief with you after
- Keep everything strictly confidential
Notmy role
What I never do
- Give legal, financial, HR or medical advice
- Speak or answer on your behalf
- Act as your lawyer, advocate or representative
- Negotiate, argue or take sides against anyone
- Provide counselling or therapy
- Share anything about you with anyone
These boundaries are why a support person is welcome in the room. If you need advice, I'll point you to the right professional.
15min
Free, confidential first call
1day
Reply within one business day
24hrs
Your typed notes, delivered
0
Details shared with anyone. Ever.
Where I work
South East
Queensland.
In person across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gympie, at workplaces, mediation centres, courts and tribunals. Remote support by video and phone, anywhere in Australia.
- 01BrisbaneThe CBD, courts and tribunals, and greater Brisbane
- 02Gold CoastWorkplaces, mediation and courts from the northern suburbs to the border
- 03Sunshine CoastWorkplaces, mediation and courts across the Coast and hinterland
- 04GympieWorkplaces, mediation and the Gympie courthouse, under an hour from the Coast
- 05 · RemoteVideo & phoneAnywhere in Australia. I join your Teams, Zoom or phone meeting as your support person, take notes and debrief with you afterwards.
The rooms
Wherever you're
allowed a support person.
Many workplaces, tribunals and services let you bring someone with you. If there's no one you can ask, or no one you want to ask, that's what I'm here for.
- 01Workplace & HRDisciplinary, performance, grievance, investigation and redundancy meetings
- 02MediationWorkplace, family, neighbour and community mediation
- 03Court & tribunalsOn the day: the waiting area, the gallery and wherever support is permitted
- 04Formal interviewsWorkplace investigation interviews, police witness statements and other interviews where a support person may attend
- 05School & uniMisconduct, appeals and wellbeing meetings, for students or parents
- 06Medical & careSpecialist appointments and care-planning meetings, as a second set of ears
- 07AgenciesGovernment, housing, insurance and other appointments that feel daunting
How it works
Four steps.
Zero pressure.
-
01
Reach out
Send a short request with the date, place and type of meeting. Share only what you're comfortable with.
-
02
Free 15-minute call
A confidential chat so you can ask anything, I can check I'm the right fit, and you get a clear written quote.
-
03
Let them know
Tell the organiser you're bringing a support person. Use the wording below if it helps.
-
04
On the day
We meet beforehand, go in together and debrief afterwards. Your notes arrive within 24 hours.
Not sure what to say?
Copy this to the meeting organiser.
Hi, thank you for arranging the meeting on [date]. I'd like to let you know that I'll be bringing a support person with me. They are an independent support person from Beside You. They won't speak on my behalf or act as a representative, and they are bound by confidentiality. Please let me know if you need anything from me before the meeting.
Why I started this
“Nobody should have to walk into these rooms on their own.”
I'm Dalia Croxton. I've spent 20 years in corporate businesses across several industries, working everywhere from the front line through to executive level. I know how these meetings are run, and I know how they feel from the other side of the table.
Long before Beside You, I was the person friends and colleagues asked to sit with them in hard meetings. I've also been in moments where I would have given anything for someone steady beside me. That's why I started this.
Hard meetings rarely come with warning, and they usually land when you're already stretched. When you book Beside You, you get me. Not a call centre or a roster, just one calm, professional person who takes the time to understand what you're walking into, arrives early and stays composed under pressure, so you don't have to carry it alone.
DiscretionWhat you share stays with me.
SteadinessCalm when it matters most.
RespectYour meeting. Your voice.
Dalia Croxton
Ways to book
Clear, upfront,
no surprises.
Every booking starts with a free call and a written quote. You'll always know the cost before you commit.
A
Single meeting
One meeting or interview
- Phone call beforehand
- Meet before you go in
- Attendance & notes
- Typed notes within 24 hrs
Most requested
B
Hearing or mediation day
Half or full day
- Everything in A
- Preparation session
- Support through breaks & waiting
- Debrief afterwards
C
Ongoing support
A process with several meetings
- The same person throughout
- Running record of every meeting
- Priority booking
- Package pricing
Questions
Good
questions.
What is a support person?
A support person is someone you bring to a formal meeting, such as an HR, disciplinary or mediation meeting, for reassurance. They don't speak for you or give advice. They sit with you, take notes, help you ask for breaks and keep you steady. Beside You provides an independent, professional support person you can hire when you don't have someone, or don't want someone you know, in the room.
Do you cover the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Brisbane and the Gold Coast?
Yes. Beside You attends meetings in person across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. If you're elsewhere in Australia, I can support you remotely by video or phone.
Can I bring a support person to a disciplinary meeting?
Usually, yes. Under Australia's Fair Work Act, when an employee claims unfair dismissal, the Fair Work Commission considers whether the employer unreasonably refused to let them have a support person at discussions about their dismissal. Many workplace policies also allow a support person at disciplinary, performance and grievance meetings. Check your workplace's policy, and get legal or union advice about your specific situation.
How much does a support person cost?
It depends on the length and type of meeting. Every booking starts with a free 15-minute call and a written quote, so you know the cost before you commit.
Am I allowed to bring a support person?
Often, yes. Workplace disciplinary and grievance meetings, mediations and many interviews commonly allow one. Rules vary between organisations and settings, so check with the organiser. If you're unsure, we can talk it through on the free call.
Will you speak for me?
No. A support person doesn't speak on your behalf or act as an advocate. I may politely ask for a break, ask for something to be repeated or check you're okay, but the conversation stays yours.
Can you give me legal or HR advice?
No, and that's a big part of why support people are welcome in these rooms. I can help you organise your own thoughts and questions, and point you towards a lawyer, union or advice service if you need one.
Is everything confidential?
Yes. I don't share anything about you, your meeting or your notes. The only exception is the rare case where the law requires it or someone is at serious risk of harm, and I'll explain that clearly before we start.
What happens to the notes?
They're yours. You get a typed copy, usually within 24 hours. I securely delete my copy after an agreed period, unless you ask me to keep it for a follow-up meeting.
How much notice do you need?
The more the better, but short-notice meetings happen. Get in touch even if it's tomorrow and I'll do my best to be there.
Can someone else book for me?
Yes. A family member, friend or service can make the enquiry. I'll always speak with you directly first, so I know it's what you want.
Can you support me remotely by video or phone?
Yes, anywhere in Australia. I can join your Teams, Zoom or phone meeting as your support person, take notes and debrief with you afterwards. If you're on the Sunshine Coast, in Gympie or Brisbane, or on the Gold Coast, I can also sit with you in person while you take the call.
Request support
Let's getyou ready.
Tell me a little about your meeting. I'll reply within one business day to set up a free, confidential call. No obligation.
- Hours
- Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm. Weekends by arrangement.
In immediate danger? Call your local emergency number. Beside You is not a crisis or counselling service.