Anyone used an introduction agency rather than OLD?

[parklives]

I am recently single, in early 40s. I scrub up good for my age, but my youth and beauty is fading!
I don't earn very much (although own my own home with a mortgage which is worth a reasonable amount) and I manage to live quite a middle-class lifestyle. No children, but I would love to adopt/be a step mum if I found a partner.
I am educated to a masters level, and reasonably cultured. All in all I'm very ordinary, but I have quite high standards and I guess a bit posh, but not loads of money, (please don't flame me for this, I'm just being honest!) and I'm a leftie/feminist, not 'extreme' but I couldn't date someone who didn't share these values.
I just want to try and find a male partner on the same level as me, (preferably my age) I have heard such horror stories from friends who date online, and when I've looked online, I never see any men/profiles I'm interested in. I'm not a game player and I don't want to play games or invite drama into my life (have had a few really hard years, and am feeling happy, but fragile).

Would an introduction agency/matchmakers be the way go? Anyone tried this? Will I just be knocked back as I would be completing with Russian supermodels?
I'm listening to the phone in on Radio 2 atm (which normally would give me the rage, and I turn off) but they are discussing OLD and it's not giving me confidence!

Hello! I’ve never used one but did do some work for one (v high end) one and the benefits were mainly how personal it was - so they interviewed you about your life, job interests etc plus what you’re looking for from a partner/relationship and generally sort of got to know you so they could then match you with people you’d be a good fit for (obviously this relies a lot on them ‘getting’ you). So it’s a bit less random than a location based algorithm and the men should be less timewaste-y and more honest about what they want (and you can find this out upfront - rather than having to be ‘cool’ and not ask for ages). Plus they would sort of coach/support you through the whole process. But that was a seriously expensive one so not sure what other cheaper options are like.

If you’re a leftie, could Guardian soulmates be an option? It’s paid for so the guys might be a bit more serious and then maybe kinder?

Btw with that one they def were not all young models, and I kind of think younger people would be more likely to use apps like Hinge, Bumble etc?