Hoarding and Decluttering Support

Support for individuals

Declutter Together

Declutter Together is a peer support group for people living with excess clutter. They meet online on the first Tuesday of each month from 6.30 – 8pm. The group is a safe, friendly space to share experiences and receive non-judgemental support and advice. It is led by those with lived experience. Attending the group is free. If you are interested in joining email [email protected]. Find out more about the group on this page.

RCE Wellbeing Hub

RCE Wellbeing Hub offers short bitesize courses on a variety of topics aimed at empowering people to look after and regain control of their mental wellbeing. One of the courses they offer is Living Well with Decluttering/Hoarding Disorder. It covers a range of tips, tools and techniques contributed by people with lived experience. Visit the RCE Wellbeing Hub website to view the timetable of upcoming courses and apply to take part. You can also contact the team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01733 963 219.

Hoarding UK

Hoarding UK is a UK-wide charity dedicated to supporting people affected by hoarding behaviours. They provide individual support and advocacy, and run online support groups via Zoom (no more than 5 people in a group). They also offer support and training to professionals who work with people who hoard. Find out more by visiting the Hoarding UK website.

Mind

Mind is a national mental health charity. They have information about hoarding on their national website. Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind run several Good Mood Cafes locally. These are an opportunity to meet new people to share interests, skills and wellbeing tips in an friendly, informal space. Find out more on this page.

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies

There is often a link between hoarding and other mental health challenges. NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies aims to make psychological therapies more accessible to those experiencing common mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. People aged 17 and over can self-refer to this service and there is no upper age limit. Find out more about this service on this page.

Cleaning companies

There are some local cleaning services which are experienced in helping people who hoard or need help to declutter. Services will normally need to be funded by individuals:

Scenic Cleaning: visit their website for more information.
Spotless Cleaning: visit the listing on Peterborough City Council website for more information
Home Help Company: visit their website for more information.

The Cambridgeshire County Council Care Micro-Enterprise Directory (CME) provides a list of small, independent care and support services including cleaners. Being small businesses means that they can provide the time and consistency to build a real understanding and relationship with the people they support.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service Safe & Well Visit

This free visit to your home lasts no more than an hour during which a DBS checked member of the Fire & Rescue Service will assess your home for fire risks and advise you on other safety matters – there’s more information here. If they are concerned that there aren’t safe exit routes or that there are are fire risks due to your possessions they may refer you to other agencies for support. You can find out if you or a family member or friend are likely to be eligible for a free home fire safety check by calling the automated message line on 0800 917 9994 and leave a message including the persons name, address and daytime phone number to receive a call back. If you are a professional, you can refer someone via this online referral form.

Support for professionals

There is guidance and resources for professionals supporting someone who they feel may be hoarding on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Insight website. There is also information on this website about the Hoarding Forum, which is a space for professionals who support people who hoard to come together and seek advice, best practice and guidance from others. The Forum meets every 6 weeks – everyone is welcome to present situations without revealing the person’s identity. The multidisciplinary nature of the forum allows for a wide range of knowledge and experience. If you want to come to a Hoarding Forum email [email protected].

There is a Multi-Agency Protocol for Working with People with Hoarding Behaviours which offers guidance to staff working with people who exhibit hoarding behaviours. The protocol has been developed in partnership with a range of statutory and non-statutory partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Visit this website to find out more.