Support
If you're struggling, please reach out
This is an art project, not a substitute for professional care. Below are organisations that can help — with kindness, and without judgement.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency services. In the UK, call 999 in an emergency, or 101 for less urgent matters. For medical support, call 111.
Hoarders Helping Hoarders
Ian Porter's North West network of psychosocial intervention and peer support groups for people who exhibit hoarding behaviours.
Hoarding Disorders UK
A national charity offering support, advice and understanding for people affected by hoarding.
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Mind
Mental health support, information and advice for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
NSPCC
If you think a child is experiencing abuse. A child can call 0800 111.
LGBT Foundation
National charity delivering advice, support and community services to LGBT people.
Talk to Frank
Friendly, confidential drugs advice — for yourself or someone you care about.
Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of people who share their experience to help solve a common problem and help others recover.
Ian Porter's guidance
How to be with someone who hoards
Compassionate, practical do's and don'ts — start with curiosity, not a skip.
Do
- Start with compassionate curiosity — understanding and kindness
- Build the relationship; work at the person's pace
- Ask about wants, worries and expectations
- Work on shared goals and aspirations
- Be persistent — not all steps will be forward steps
- Aim for small, quick wins when the person is ready
- Remember proportionality — don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
- Ask 'what happened to you?'
Don't
- Ask 'what's wrong with you?'
- Judge, punish, ridicule or threaten
- See someone as 'just a hoarder'
- Make people throw away their treasures against their will
- Dictate how you think people should live
- Negotiate unrealistic goals that set people up to fail
- Use stigmatising terms like 'self-neglect'
- Expect a quick fix — there is no skip big enough
“Start with compassionate curiosity. See the person — not the hoard.”