Support worker calls for understanding over hoarding
A housing support worker has called for a greater understanding and empathy for people who have a hoarding disorder.
Darren Childs is an independent living support worker from Telford with The Wrekin Housing Group, and helps tenants who have a condition that leads to hoarding – a situation that can see homes dangerously filled with items, affecting mental and physical health.
Mr Childs has spoken out as part of National Hoarding Awareness Week, which aims to make hoarding disorders more well-known and understood.
The condition is now recognised as an illness and in many cases people who hoard feel uncomfortable asking for help or letting people into their homes.
It can have a profound effect on the person who is hoarding, on their neighbours, the local community, and on the property.
Mr Childs said: “I think there is generally a lack of understanding around hoarding disorder.
“First and foremost, it is a mental health issue. With the people that I support, there is often something in their past that has triggered their hoarding – it could be depression, a bereavement or linked to something traumatic that has happened to them.
“Some people have possessions that have been with them for 40+ years. People who hoard items often have strong attachments to items which are not easy for others to understand.
“As a housing provider, we always approach things in a sensitive manner. My approach is very much about building relationships with people. Once you have that level of trust with people, you can start to look at some of the barriers and begin to tackle the issue.”
It is estimated that up to 1.2million people across the UK have been affected by hoarding.
Mr Childs is keen to stress that there is no quick fix when it comes to addressing the issues associated with hoarding.
He added: “The key thing is ensuring people feel safe. As well as the person who is hoarding, we also have a duty to the neighbours and the local community. We always make sure that exits are clear and remove any fire hazards.
“Some people are very open and welcome your support. People often have strong attachments to items which are not easy for others to understand. I will never go into someone’s home and use the word ‘hoarder’ – it all needs to be handled sensitively and over time.
“The biggest thing is taking that first step. Some people feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items and don’t know where to start. I have been working with one tenant for just over two years, we have been taking things slowly but we are making progress – I now go to their house every fortnight to remove items from the property.
“I want to go in there and make a huge difference to people’s lives. “
