Council offering support sessions to people with hoarding behaviours

Hoarding behaviours can typically include keeping or collecting items that have little or no monetary value but some associated personal connection, such as mail, newspapers and carrier bags, or items they intend to reuse or repair.

The new monthly drop-in sessions aim to help individuals with these tendencies and offer a holistic approach to supporting them.

Trained co-ordinators will facilitate these sessions, which will be the first of their kind in the county.

The county council is working in partnership with the six district and borough councils of Gloucestershire, as well as Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Hoarding UK to deliver these sessions.

Currently, these monthly support sessions are on offer in Cheltenham and Gloucester, with plans to expand to the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Stroud and Tewkesbury in the coming months.

The next support sessions will be held on:

• 1.30pm to 3pm, Monday 23 October at 1st floor, Gloucester Library, 51 Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HT.
• 1.30pm to 3pm, Tuesday 24 October at 2nd floor, Cheltenham Children's Library, Chester Walk, GL50 3JY.

Cllr Stephen Fifield, Cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care Delivery, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to offer this support to people across the county with hoarding behaviours.

“We know that simply clearing out houses doesn’t work and can cause more trauma, leading to re-hoarding. For that reason, we are taking a holistic approach with the sessions to help individuals.

“I would like to thank our partners who we are working closely with to deliver these sessions.”

For more information on these sessions and how to get support, visit https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/support-hub/your-mental-health-and-wellbeing/hoarding-support-group/.

Alternatively email hoardingsupport@gloucestershire.gov.uk, or call 01452 425 427.