Hoarding Ice-Breaker Form

05/09/2026

We don't know what the statistics are of people with issues related to clutter, disorganisation and/or hoarding behaviours who have health problems, but we're sure the numbers are VERY high.

Because the chances are that they're also hypermobile (probably without a formal diagnosis of a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD - there are four types) - which happens to be very common amongst those who are Neurodivergent, many of whom have clutter-related difficulties.

As Dr A says in this video, hypermobility is a whole body problem - HSD doesn't just affect joints. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CFAw5eHns/

Collagen (the body's most abundant protein) is the key component of many different tissues in the body (skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessel walls, the cornea, cartilage and bones), so when it's not formed correctly it can cause problems such as digestion issues, skin problems, heart rate, blood pressure, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS - which typically affects people when they move from lying to an upright position) and Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS - which is often undiagnosed and difficult to treat), etc.

It's no wonder folks with these conditions have very little energy left after attempting to live with and get treatment for these types of medical issues (and often receive a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia or ME), and need help and support with decluttering and organising their homes.😢
https://www.potsuk.org/about-pots/associated-conditions/mcas/

28/08/2026

Does everyone's dream craft room look like this?!

26/08/2026

Good to see research published by Cardiff University confirming what many of us already knew - enforced clearances of hoarded homes can be extremely traumatising for the residents, and can do far more harm than good.

New research looks at the experiences of those with hoarding disorder who have had their houses cleared.

22/06/2026

This!

OFFICIAL HEATWAVE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL TORTOISES

Attention, fellow tortoises. This is Manuel from Tortoise Hotel.

I’ve just overheard the humans talking. They’ve seen the weather forecast. They are panicking. As usual.

This means many of us will shortly be picked up against our will and dunked into a bath every five minutes because apparently humans believe we’ll instantly shrivel up if the temperature goes above 25°C.

Or even worse…

Some of them will come charging into our enclosure with the hosepipe, completely soaking the ground, so we’re expected to spend the day walking around in what feels like a muddy swamp.

Now listen carefully…

There are rumours that all these baths are to stop us becoming dehydrated.
Unfortunately, on some occasions, they can have the opposite effect…

…because if your human keeps interrupting your afternoon nap every half an hour to plonk you in another bath, you’ll become exhausted long before you become dehydrated.

So here’s my advice.

If your human has provided you with a nice shallow soaking tray that you can walk into by yourself, this is your moment.

Walk in.
Have a drink.
Enjoy a little soak.
Walk back out.
Pretend you’ve only just discovered it.

Your human will think they’re an absolute genius. Secretly, you’ve just trained them to leave you alone. After all, we behave like adults from the moment we hatch.
We don’t need supervising every five minutes.

Now, about this heatwave…
Please don’t make the mistake humans do.

You won’t find us lying in the middle of the garden covered in baby oil, trying to turn ourselves into jacket potatoes.

Humans call this “sunbathing.”
We call it “poor thermoregulating.”

When it gets really hot, we do exactly what our family has been doing for over 200 million years.

We head for the shade.
We disappear under bushes.
We hide in long grass.
We dig down into lovely cool soil.
We thermoregulate.
It’s almost as if evolution knew what it was doing.

Meanwhile, the humans are lying in the blazing midday sun, covered in baby oil, trying to cook themselves evenly on both sides. Then they wonder why they’ve got sunburn. Honestly… which species do you think has mastered this whole hot weather thing?

If your human comes rushing over shouting,

“Come on! It’s sunny! You should be out enjoying yourself!”…simply give them your best disappointed stare. Maybe a little hiss if they’re particularly enthusiastic.
Then head straight back under your favourite bush.

Remember, fellow tortoises…

Shade is your friend.
Digging is perfectly normal.
Soak when you decide.
Keep enjoying those lovely weeds and flowers.
Spend the hottest part of the day exactly where you want to be.

Humans…

We love them. They mean well. They’re just not very experienced at being tortoises.

Love, Manuel 🐢

P.S. If you see your humans lying outside covered in baby oil, roasting themselves in the midday sun……don’t laugh.

They’ve only been around for a few hundred thousand years.
We’ve had over 200 million years to perfect this heatwave business.
Who’s the clever one now? 😉🐢

21/05/2026

Brilliant article by esteemed colleagues

NEW BLOG!

Too often, people affected by hoarding face inconsistent or crisis-led responses, when what’s really needed is compassionate, person-centred support built on trust and understanding.

As conversations around national hoarding guidelines gain momentum, it’s more important than ever to recognise that hoarding is not simply about “too much stuff.” It’s complex, deeply personal, and often linked to trauma, grief or mental health challenges.

Professional organisers can play a vital role - offering calm, practical, non-judgemental support that helps people make sustainable change at their own pace.

Good support means working with people, not against them.

11/05/2026

Reposting this as it's very relevant to National Hoarding Awareness Week

Short films for curious minds

11/05/2026

Today is the start of National Hoarding Awareness Week (11-15th May 2026) - the annual campaign across the political, health and social care communities to raise awareness of the risks associated with hoarding behaviours.

24/04/2026

Waddya reckon?
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EAwEnSUiM/

10/04/2026

Excellent video about hoarding behaviours by Kino Bino in association with the BBC and The Open University.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/c4gm9r0733no

PLEASE also watch the video that follows it ("How to help someone struggling with their mental health") and other videos by BBC Ideas, especially if you want to learn more about things like (for example):
- Artificial Intelligence (AI);
- how to make meetings less boring;
- forever chemicals;
- why exercise feels easier when you're not alone
- the freak accident that changed our understanding of the human brain!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/topics/cxw2g82zr01t

Short films for curious minds