Many local councils offer valuable support through various departments, including adult social services, housing, and environmental health teams. These services can help address the unique challenges that come with hoarding disorder, providing both practical and emotional support. If you are struggling with hoarding, you can contact your local council to inquire about the specific support options available to you, and in some cases, you may be able to request an assessment under the Care Act 2014. This act ensures that individuals who require care and support, including those with hoarding disorder, are assessed for their eligibility for assistance.

In addition to the Care Act 2014, councils often have specific hoarding pathways or dedicated safeguarding teams who can coordinate multi-agency support. These teams may work with healthcare professionals, social workers, and other service providers to develop a tailored plan that addresses both the emotional and practical aspects of hoarding disorder. This could include connecting you to mental health services, social care, housing support, or assistance with cleaning and decluttering.

By checking your local council's website, you can find more information about the support services available, including any local hoarding programs, pathways for referrals, or safeguarding teams who are trained to handle hoarding cases.

The first step is to speak with your GP, who can assess your needs and provide support. If necessary, your GP may refer you to community mental health teams, who specialise in managing complex conditions like hoarding disorder. These teams can offer a comprehensive approach, providing access to specialist therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.

In addition to emotional and psychological support, NHS services can also help you access practical community resources. For example, they can connect you with housing support services, particularly if your living conditions are at risk or pose safety concerns. Social workers may assist you in finding cleaning or decluttering services to help make your living environment safer, and they can offer advice on managing finances, which can often be affected by hoarding behaviours.

The Hoarding Ice-Breaker Form, created by Cherry Rudge who is a Professional Hoarding Practitioner based in Surrey (UK), is designed as a conversation starter for your GP when looking to discuss hoarding behaviours for the first time, find out more information at https://hoardingicebreakerform.org/.

Alongside ourselves, there are several UK-based charities and social enterprises offer dedicated hoarding support, including:

• Holistic Hoarding: Provides a trauma informed approach to supporting clients with hoarding behaviours
• Hoarding UK: Provides advice, support groups, and advocacy.
• Mind: Offers mental health support, including resources for managing hoarding behaviours.
• Age UK: Helps older adults access local support services.
• Rethink Mental Illness: Offers support for people with mental illness, including advice on how hoarding can be managed as part of broader mental health challenges.
• Samaritans: Samaritans focuses on emotional support for people in crisis, providing a listening ear and advice for people struggling with overwhelming emotions related to hoarding, such as anxiety and depression.
• Sue Ryder: Offer support for individuals experiencing grief and loss.
• Hoarding Disorders UK: Provide practical hands-on support as well as expert advice to those affected by the varying levels of hoarding disorder, ranging from the chronically disorganised to those with extreme clutter.

Private hoarding specialists can provide invaluable one-to-one, in-home support for individuals struggling with hoarding disorder. These professionals are trained in understanding the complexities of hoarding and the sensitive nature of the condition. They offer compassionate, step-by-step assistance, working with clients at their own pace to ensure that the decluttering process is manageable and does not cause overwhelming distress.

Unlike general cleaning services, these specialists take a tailored approach that respects the individual’s emotional attachment to their belongings, helping them sort through items in a non-judgmental, supportive manner. They are trained to address the unique psychological and physical aspects of hoarding disorder, offering not just practical help with organising and cleaning but also emotional support. Many of these professionals use strategies designed to empower individuals, helping them regain control over their environment while building skills to maintain a safer and more organised home.

While these services can be a helpful and practical option for individuals looking for support outside of the public sector, it’s important to carefully research and select professionals who are experienced and trained in hoarding disorder to ensure the best outcomes.

Support groups offer far more than just conversation; they serve as a lifeline for individuals navigating the complex and often isolating experience of living with hoarding disorder. These groups provide a safe, judgment-free environment where individuals can connect with others who truly understand the challenges they face. Being part of a support group allows participants to share their experiences, struggles, and successes in a space where they are met with empathy and understanding, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation.