Clearing the way

Time for a fresh start? Many of us aim to get on top of our household chores in January, but what of those affected by hoarding disorders? We spoke to a new Reading-based support group helping people with issues

While many of us have been sprucing up our homes for the New Year, Hoarding Disorders UK have launched their third support group for people affected by hoarding issues after Reading Borough Council approached the organisation about providing support in the borough.

Jo Cooke co-founded Hoarding Disorders UK after her work as a declutterer revealed the extent of the hoarding problem, and she has since written a book called Understanding Hoarding, which is a comprehensive and practical guide to the subject.

“Hoarding disorder is now recognised as a mental health disorder and is usually described as persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their monetary value and accumulating possessions in a manner that congests and clutters living areas,” says Jo. “It can greatly affect a person’s ability to function and carries a high level of risk to those who hoard and to the people they are living with.”

The conditions of hoarders’ homes are often challenging. “Not all are squalid and dirty but many are, with very little access to hot water and heating, to a sink to wash up at or the use of a shower, let alone a bed to sleep in or the use of a cooker,” explains Jo. “Toilets are often blocked, with damp and mould prevalent. Some homes trap bad smells; others are deep in dust through the sheer volume of paperwork and books, while the smell of rotting food, urine and cat faeces can be overwhelming.”