Hoarding can be a sensitive and emotional subject for both the person who needs support with their behaviour and those affected by the behaviour.
It is normal to collect and save things. However, there is a problematic form of collecting that is often called “hoarding” or “compulsive hoarding”. This is when people build up possessions, regardless of their use or value, and their living spaces become so cluttered that they can’t be used safely.
Items people hoard can include newspapers, books, containers, clothes, plastic bags and animals.
Hoarding is not about being untidy or lazy. It is a complex issue that often needs professional support. If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding, we are here to help.
What We Can Do to Help
Cornerstone are committed to supporting our residents, households and communities. We make sure you can access specialist support and we provide practical help wherever possible.
We can help by looking at your living space. If there are concerns, or if someone thinks support is needed, we can work with specialist support providers to help resolve the issues.
We want to help you achieve a safe home and improve your wellbeing. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
How to Get Help
We can assess levels of clutter using a clutter rating scale. This scale goes from 1 to 9, with 1 being the least cluttered and 9 being the most cluttered. If you think you are level 4 or above, we can help.
We will treat your situation with care and respect. Everything you tell us will be confidential. We understand this can be difficult to talk about, and we are here to support you.