Helping hoarders to make room

Object lesson: ‘sometimes you can do much more than you think.’

A local charity is running a free event to help support workers and families of people who suffer from hoarding conditions.

The event, entitled ‘Making Room: Supporting adults with hoarding behaviours,’ kicks off at 2pm on 29 June in the Attic space at Hackney Picturehouse.

The Making Room project is run by MRS Independent Living, an Hackney and Islington based charity that supports disabled and older people. It provides advice, support and therapeutic decluttering programmes to clients across London.

Visitors at the event can take part in a number of helpful workshops and meet others in their field or befriend families living with similar problems.

Making Room’s Project Manager Breda Spilane, who specialises in ageing and society, will run a taster class in motivational interviewing.

Ms Spilane said: “Support with hoarding behaviours starts with one single step – reaching out and asking for support.

“At our event we will offer advice on a range of questions to family and friends of adults who collect and professionals involved in the support of their clients who hoard.”

A hoarding disorder is where someone keeps hold of an excessive number of objects and stores them in a chaotic way, resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter.

It can be associated with mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

After the workshops Making Room’s latest documentary about hoarding behaviour will be screened alongside a wine reception.

Getting help

Abby, a former teacher, started working with Making Room after battling depression for many years. The 62-year-old’s hoarding became so bad she started keeping her curtains drawn.

She was ashamed of the clutter and feared anyone finding out. Abby felt isolated.

Making Room assigned one staff member to work with Abby over four sessions. At first Abby was anxious about allowing someone into her home – but she soon relaxed and happily engaged with the programme.

Eventually Abby was was able to open the curtains for the first time in a long while.

Abby said: “Making Room’s help has made a massive difference. I have learned a lesson: sometimes you can do much more than you think.”

Anyone looking for advice on hoarding and collecting can phone Making Room’s helpline on 0330 088 5684. Open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10am – 1pm

Making Room
29 June, 2 – 6pm
Attic Space
Hackney Picturehouse
E8 1HE