Have you any opinions about HoardingUK?
Here at HoardingUK, we’re dedicated to shaping our services to the needs and desires of this community. That means that we want to hear your opinions on the direction we should be taking. Here’s how your voice can be heard.
Join our virtual Annual General Meeting after the User Involvement Meeting on Friday May 30th, 13:30-15:30pm. It’s a chance for you to influence HoardingUK’s future. Please register using the link below.
A Letter from the Chair
Hoarding Awareness Week was launched with our National Conference ‘Talking About Talking About Hoarding’.
Our Trustee, Mandi Simms, talked about her ongoing work as an Ambassador talking to media to change perspectives. As ever, she sparkled!
That Hoarder talked about her work, her commitment to having the voice of people with hoarding behaviours be heard, driving her successful podcast – which works to support her growth and awareness as well as others.
Both inspiring voices bringing resonance to the day….
Over one hundred people registered for the event. HoardingUK is an activist organisation that has worked for seventeen years to promote choice and control within support and to have the voices of people who hoard listened to.
The attendees were a mixed group of people with hoarding behaviour, community and professionals. For me it was a balanced discussion e.g. how do we talk about words such as ‘squalor’ which needs to be represented truthfully with consideration of the impact to the person and others, in a way that doesn’t denigrate the person but recognises the difficulties for them, too.
Psychologically driven unhygienic environments was one option suggested as use for professionals replacing things such as ‘filthy and verminous’ which does not recognise the person in the space. Environmental Wellbeing was my personal favourite in terms of looking at what the outcome would mean for the person.
The materials from the conference typically take about a month to process appropriately in relation to GDPR. Attendees will be sent an email when this has been set up.
As ever, thanks to all who attended and presented.
Megan
Kino Bino’s Short Film ‘Of All The Things’ Premieres
Megan Karnes (Founder and Chair of HoardingUK) and Mandi Simms (HUK Ambassador and Trustee) attended the short film’s premiere in Leicester on the May 15th.
“We were invited to the launch of the Kino Bino animated film. It is a special film about the relationship between a mother and daughter and hoarding – I was so proud to be part of the panel and speak up and speak out as a representative of HUK, a person with life experience, and to be there with Megan.“
-Mandi
“This visually beautiful short film captures the experience of a parent with hoarding behaviour and the relationship with their daughter. In a few minutes, it shows that hoarding does not have to pull families apart. Instead, it can bring them together in love and mutuality. I was touched deeply by it and cannot wait to have it become available to share. HoardingUK are also working with Kino Bino and a broadcaster on another project currently. Looking forward to that too!!“
-Megan
Your Online Communities
Choice and Control in Hoarding Behaviour Training
Professionals who attend this workshop will have the opportunity to learn more about approaches to supporting people with hoarding behaviours. This training deals with balancing outside intervention with maintaining an individual’s choice and control. We have an upcoming Open Day on June 12th which we are excited to welcome you to.
Chairing Postive Change
A reminder to all subscribers that monthly ‘Chairing Positive Change’ workshops are still taking place on Zoom. All professionals from across services are welcome to attend.
Motivational Interviewing Training
Attendees will explore the key components to Motivational Interviewing techniques, work through case studies and discover ways that can facilitate behavioural changes for people who hoard.
Family, Friends and Others Support Groups
At the request of many, HUK has launched an online support group for family, friends and others who are not professionals to get support, then in turn better support people who hoard. For more information about the impact we’re making, read about here in this Guardian article.
HUK Helpline
Sign up for 27 45-minute sessions on a weekly, fortnightly and then monthly basis through our Helpline. We offer the service free of charge, but are asking people to make a donation of any amount to support our important work.
Place in the Space Support Group
These monthly psychological and practical support sessions offer a safe space to anyone who hoards who wants to work on managing their space and wellbeing. Please consider joining, no one is required at any point in these sessions to let go of any item explored.