Two Projects in Birmingham
Hoarding and self-neglect have caused challenges for local authorities for many years, which was why the Prevention and Communities grants were committed to look at how to address this. Both Clouds End CIC – the UK’s first social enterprise for people who hoard – and Compass Support have been funded to look at this issue and help citizens who have hoarding behaviours. The extension of the funding through to 2023 has been very fortuitous as both of these issues are now increasing greatly post Covid-19. Hoarding behaviour affected 2-5% of the population, and although new figures have not been collated post pandemic, everyone is recording a greater demand for support, cleaning and clearing, often to allow carers to access homes safely.
Chaos to Order
Clouds End CIC is running a mentoring project, training
groups of social work students who are interested in learning more and
specialising in working with people who hoard. It can also help with extras
needed such as skips, cleaning and clearing and telephone counselling. It has
smashed all expectations in the past two years, working with over 250 citizens.
It has created the Hoarding Charter, a city pledge to agree to work in a
supportive and compassionate way with citizens who have this issue, to launch
in 2022.
Support in Sutton
and Erdington
Clouds End has collaborated with Compass Support who have
responded to the issue of hoarding with a specific project in the Reddicap
& Castle Vale wards of the city. As well as offering practical information
and support to people who live with hoarding behaviour, Compass Support coordinates
a regular Hoarding Multi Agency Pathway Meeting. These aim to
improve communication between workers, maximise the use of existing
resources, and develop best practice and creative ways to engage with citizens
who hoard. The Multi Agency Meetings are open to workers from all sectors, who
cover the Sutton Coldfield & Erdington area. Social Worker, Lucy Munro, who
attends the meetings regularly, says:
“We all have different inputs to someone’s life and bring different perspectives to the meeting. I have found the meetings to be eye opening and invaluable because of this. Working in a hospital team, especially during Covid, and going to the meetings to support patients living with hoarding have meant safer discharges home and better outcomes for the citizens.”
Cloud’s End:
Email:- help@cloudsend.org.uk
Website:- https://www.facebook.com/CloudsEndCIC
Compass Support:
Email:- Hilary.tomlinson@compass-support.org.uk
Website: https://www.compass-support.org.uk/our-services/hoarding/
