Help & Advice for Hoarding
Advice for hoarding
This section is aimed at offering advice and support to People who Hoard, their families, friends and neighbours, and to members of the public who may be interested in finding out more. It is important to note that hoarding is not a lifestyle choice, and is not due to laziness. It is a recognized psychiatric condition and there is help available from numerous sources.
Firstly, do you think of yourself as a person who hoards?
Hoarding refers to the over-accumulation of possessions such that a person has difficulty in moving around their home, or being able to live in comfort. A severely cluttered house causes difficulty in cooking, sleeping, washing and may become very dangerous to the residents.
Take a look at the Clutter Index Scale from the OCD Foundation – a set of images of a kitchen, bedroom and living room which shows them in varying stages of clutter. Which picture best represents your own home?
If your select a picture of 5 or over then you may have a real problem with clutter and might be a person who hoards. However, just because your home might be cluttered does not necessarily mean that you are a hoarder – you may for example have mobility problems which mean that it is difficult for you to keep your home clutter free.
Another way of assessing hoarding is a by a short questionnaire called the Hoarding Rating Scale – click here for the questionnaire. It asks 5 questions. If you score more than 4 on questions 1 and 2, and also score more than 4 on either question 4 or 5, then you might have an issue with hoarding and should seek advice from your GP
As there are an increasing number of Advice and Support Services around hoarding behaviours, this section is split into advice at a National Level, and is then split into regional services.
These sections will be constantly updated and improved, so if you are aware of any organisations or services that you think we have missed, please let us know and we will add them here!
National Services
MIND
Mind is a charity which empowers people to understand their mental health and the choices available to them and has specific advice around Hoarding Disorder – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/hoarding/about-hoarding/
NHS
NHS – the home pages for the NHS contain useful information in relation to Hoarding Disorder and how to access help:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/hoarding-disorder/
OCD-UK
OCD-UK provides advice information and support for those affected by OCD, but it also contains useful resources and links to events and support for hoarding:
Key Organizations
Hoarding UK
HOARDING UK provides a support service for people affected by hoarding which includes, training, links to relevant advice (e.g. around eviction), online Zoom sessions and events:
Hoarding Disorders UK
HOARDING DISORDERS UK provides specialist advice for people affected by hoarding behaviours, chronic disorganization and extreme clutter:
https://hoardingdisordersuk.org
The Director Jo Cooke, has written several books about hoarding that provide guidance to people who hoard:
‘Understanding Hoarding: Reclaim Your Space and Life‘.
‘Overcoming Chronic Disorganization‘
Jo Cooke (along with Heather Matuozzo from Clouds End CIC) give advice to relativesd on how to help aperson who hoards
Regional Services
Click on a region of the map for more information.
North East
Cleaning / Decluttering Services
Clean as a Whistle – https://www.cleanasawhistleclean.com/
Provides a cleaning service. Based on Tyneside and can be contacted at 07805 874815
Mother Clutter UK – motherclutteruk@gmail.com
A professional decluttering service in the North East run by Liza Curtis ( a former hoarder).
Total Order Pro CIC – https://sites.google.com/view/totalorderpro/home
We are a not-for-profit social enterprise, with Cheryl & Karen providing support to those in difficult or disadvantaged situations, to declutter their homes.
Our service is client-led, which means you control the speed of the process. We operate in a caring and environmentally friendly way, removing items for donation to charities and organisations, recyling and upcyling, with only absolute waste being disposed of.
We deliver support mainly across County Durham and the Tees Valley but we have also supported clients in North Yorkshire.
Counselling Services
Anxious Minds – https://www.anxiousminds.co.uk
Provides fast access to counselling services. Based at The Vault, 31 Station Rd, Wallsend NE28 6RL and can be contacted at 0191 2620305
Cruse Bereavement Care – https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/helpline/
Promotes the well-being of bereaved people and helps with grief, coping and loss. Counselling is free. Based at 2 St Gabriels Ave, Newcastle NE6 5QN and can be contacted on 0191 276 5533
Gateshead Talking Therapies – www.stsftmentalhealth.nhs.uk
Works with people who need support to get through times when they feel low, depressed, or stressed. This service is free for people in Gateshead, and can be contacted at 0191 2832541
Debt and Financial Advice
Clean Slate Financial Wellbeing Services – http://www.cleanslateuk.com
Help with managing finances. It is based in George St, Social, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7JN and can be contacted on 0191 5800881
StepChange Debt Charity – https://www.stepchange.org
Provides debt advice, and tailored advice tom help people manage their debt. It is based at Broadacre House, Market St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6HQ and can be contacted on 0800 1381111
Help with specific related mental health conditions
Autism North East – https://autismnortheast.org.uk/about-us/
Offer assessment and intervention services to families and professionals in the North East, working in partnership with community groups. It is based at South View, Clara Vale, Ryton, NE40 3SY and can be contacted on 07957 755746
Help for general mental health issues
Andy’s Man Club – www.andysmanclub.co.uk
This is a free peer-to-peer group that provides a place for men to come together in a safe and open environment to talk about issues or problems.
Chilli Studios – https://www.chillistudios.co.uk/
Delivers creative services to people with, or at risk of developing mental health problems, or those experiencing social exclusion. It is based at Blackfriars Hall, New Bridge St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2TQ, and can be contacted on 0191 2094058
Connected Voice – https://connectedvoice.org.uk/
Delivers advice and support for people across the Newcastle and Gateshead on a range of issues, and specifically provides contact with free and independent advocacy services. It is based at One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX, and can be contacted on 0191 2327445
Everyturn Mental Health – https://www.everyturn.org/
Provide mental health services on behalf of the NHS, including talking therapies, nursing care, crisis support, dementia care, community and wellbeing services and supported housing. It is based at 2 Esh Plaza, Sir Bobby Robson Way, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 9BA and can be contacted on 0191 2170377
Gateshead Clubhouse – https://www.gatesheadclubhouse.com/
A mental health community hub run by people with lived experience,. Can be found at Worcester Green, Gateshead NE8 1NH and contacted at 0191 4409033
Men’s Pie Club – https://www.menspieclub.co.uk/
Tackles social isolation and improves mental health via cooking. There are numerous such clubs dotted around the north east, so the main web page is the best place to locate one nearest to you.
ReCoCo – Recovery College Collective – https://www.recoverycoco.com/
Provide a peer-led support service to enable connections and friendship and promote recovery. It is based at No 1 Carliol Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6UF and can be contacted at 0191 2610948
Skills for People – https://skillsforpeople.org.uk/
Help disabled (physical and learning) people and their families control their lives. Offer help and support and advocacy. It is based at 4 Glendale Terrace, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1PB and can be contacted on 0191 2818737
Your Voice Counts – https://www.yvc.org.uk/
Supports people with learning disabilities and autism, and those who are excluded to gain control and form connections. Also offer advocacy and training. It is located at 14-16, Greenesfield Business Centre, Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead NE8 1PQ and can be contacted on 0191 4786472
Housing and accommodation advice
Shelter – https://england.shelter.org.uk
Shelter provides practical help and advice on housing and homelessness. The North East branch is based at 76-80 Clayton St, Newcastle and can be contacted on 0344 5152914
Recycling Services
Recyke Y’ Bike – https://www.recyke.bike
Refurbishes and recycle your old cycles. Is located at Lauran House, 164 Brinkburn St, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2AR and can be contacted at 0191 2654197
Services for older people
Elders Council of Newcastle – https://www.elderscouncil.org.uk
Provides information on a wide range of issues for older people. It is based in Room 2.36 Second Floor Biomedical Research Building, The Cam, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL and can be contacted at 0191 2082701
Search Newcastle – https://www.searchnewcastle.org.uk/
Provide advice and support for older people in the West End of Newcastle. It is based at Carnegie Building, Atkinson Rd, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 8XS and can be contacted on 0191 2737443
North West
Housing Services
Tidy Homes Tidy Minds is a scheme developed by Southway Housing Trust based in South Manchester.
The link to the project report is here: https://www.southwayhousing.co.uk/media/1429/tidy-homes-tidy-minds-hoarding-scheme-18.pdf
Decluttering / Cleaning Services
Handy Ladies are based in Stockport. They offer a decluttering/cleaning service to people with hoarding issues, and work closely with Trafford Council. Their website is www.handyladies2.com, and they have a Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/HandyLadiesUK/.
They can also be contacted on 07895 435232 and at handyladies2@gmail.com
Counselling & Support Services
SPARC (Stockport Progress & Recovery Centre) is a local charity providing support to adults with mental health problems, who work with Stockport Borough Council Social Services.They host regular counselling and mental health wellbeing sessions, check out their website at www.sparc4me.org.uk.
They can also be contacted at 0161 4299744 or via email at: sparc4u.counselling@gmail.com
The Counselling Coordintaor is David Richards who can be contacted at: david@sparc4me.org.uk
Yorkshire & Humberside
East Midlands
West Midlands
Clouds End CIC
Please find additional information about Clouds End CIC by following the link below.
https://www.cloudsend.org.uk/hoarding-support-services/
Heather Matuozzo (Director of Clouds End) speaks on YouTube on why we have hoarding behaviours , with an accompanying booklet
This video goes with the booklet
Norfolk/Suffolk/East Anglia
How are You Cambridge (HAY)
How are You Cambridge (HAY): Hoarding and Decluttering Support – https://haycambridge.co.uk/support/hoarding-and-decluttering-support/
Contact Stuart Brown at stuart.brown@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Insight
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Insight provides information about hoarding at: https://cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk/housing/priority-themes/existing-homes/hoarding/
South East
South West
Help for Hoarding
Red Squirrel is a CIC providing Occupational Therapy for people who hoard, based in Portsmouth. The Director and OT Brigitte Hoare can be contacted at ‘bjh.redsquirrel@gmail.com’; the website is www.help4hoarding.co.uk, there is a Facebook and Instagram page found at @help4hoarding.
Greater London
Clouds End Services
A support service for people experiencing hoarding and self-neglect
Wales
Holistic Hoarding
Please find additional information about Hollistic Hoarding by following the link below.
Scotland
DRAFT
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