Hoarding Ice-Breaker Form

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

26/03/2026

Shopping addiction affecting your ability to manage your money?

This may help explain why you (or someone you know) struggle.

ADHD affects the brain's frontal lobe and can impact organisation and focus, a specialist says.

27/01/2026

Waddya reckon?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SngvHGj05_0

20/01/2026

19/01/2026

You may have lots of belongings, but you only have one body.

So, be sure to mention any physical and behavioural symptoms you're experiencing when using our Hoarding Icebreaker form to start a conversation with your GP.

For example, even though you may not FEEL stressed here's an illustration from the World Health Organization (WHO) giving a few examples of how stress might affect you.

Other indicators of stress or anxiety can include: dizziness; low energy; emotional changes (irritability; feeling overwhelmed; low mood) and behavioural shifts (sleep changes; social withdrawal; difficulty concentrating; increased smoking, drinking, eating, acquiring items, playing computer games, etc).

If you already have underlying health problems, stress and anxiety can make them worse.

Talking to your GP as soon as you feel unwell is far more likely to help reduce the risk of your health deteriorating long-term. The alternative is to say nothing and potentially become so chronically unwell (because your body is even more stressed) that your health (and your home) may never recover.

Stress can cause:

❤️‍🩹 headaches
❤️‍🩹 neck and shoulder pain
❤️‍🩹 lack of appetite
❤️‍🩹 back pain
❤️‍🩹 a heavy chest
❤️‍🩹 tight muscles
❤️‍🩹 an upset stomach

Pausing, breathing, and reflecting through slow breathing techniques can help to reduce stress

19/01/2026

Absolutely agree!

Never underestimate the weight of the worry you carry and how it impacts on your ability to function.

I heard today that someone I love very very much is now free of cancer. 🍾

I felt a load leave me in a way that we don’t notice it build. And now I want to nap or go for a run to reset my nervous system.

Whatever you are carrying, put it down sometimes with some intentional numbing.
Things like hard physical exercise, reading a book, taking a nap, socialising (but not talking about the thing), doing a puzzle, even bing watching tv or gaming - as long as they have an end point, are good for you. They make it possible for you to cope the rest of the time.
By contrast, unintentional numbing is when you lose yourself without meaning to, without an end point, or in a self-destructive way. This will happen if you don’t plan in the first bit.

Make time for your wellness, or you’ll have to make time for you illness.

Life is heavy.
Put it down sometimes.