Hoarding support and help across the UK
This website helps people affected by hoarding disorder find clear information, telephone support, trusted organisations and local services, wherever you are in the UK.
I am looking for help for someone else“You do not have to work everything out today. One conversation is enough to start.”
Need help now?
Wherever you are starting from, here is where to turn. This is calm, practical guidance, not an emergency alarm.
Immediate danger or medical emergency
If someone is in immediate danger, seriously injured, or a fire risk is present right now, call 999.
Call 999Urgent mental-health support
If you are in crisis or feeling unable to keep yourself safe, NHS 111 can connect you to urgent mental-health support, day or night.
Call 111, select mental healthNon-urgent hoarding support and advice
For information, a listening ear, or help finding local support, Hoarding UK’s helpline is a good place to start.
Call 020 3372 9700Find hoarding support where you live
England
Find local and national hoarding support services across England, from NHS talking therapies to council teams and specialist charities.
View support in EnglandScotland
Support and advice for people in Scotland affected by hoarding, including NHS Scotland services and Scottish charities.
View support in ScotlandWales
Hoarding support across Wales, including local authority social care teams and Welsh-based organisations.
View support in WalesNorthern Ireland
Services and advice for people in Northern Ireland, including Health and Social Care Trust teams and local charities.
View support in Northern IrelandWhere do I start?
You do not need to solve everything at once. One conversation can be the first step.
Use our UK support directory to find services that fit your situation and location.
A GP or other professional can discuss assessment, mental-health support and referral options.
Gradual progress matters more than sudden, forced change.
Understanding hoarding disorder
Hoarding disorder is different from being untidy or enjoying collecting things. It involves ongoing difficulty getting rid of possessions, often alongside distress at the thought of parting with them.
What hoarding disorder is
A recognised mental-health condition involving ongoing difficulty discarding possessions, whatever their value, often with distress at the thought of letting them go.
Common signs and behaviours
Difficulty parting with items, strong emotional attachment to possessions, and living spaces becoming increasingly full over time.
How it can affect daily life
It can make it hard to use rooms as intended, affect safety, health and relationships, and lead to feelings of isolation or shame.
Why it is different from being untidy or collecting
Collecting is usually organised and brings satisfaction. Hoarding disorder involves distress, disorganisation, and difficulty functioning as a result.
Support that can help
Talking therapies, practical support and gradual, respectful help from services can make a genuine difference, at a pace that feels manageable.
This website provides information and support resources. It does not diagnose medical or mental-health conditions; a GP or qualified professional can help with that.
Worried about someone you care about?
Meaningful change can take time. Small, respectful steps often help more than urgency.
- Approach the person respectfully, without shaming or blaming.
- Focus on wellbeing and safety, not on tidiness.
- Listen to their concerns before suggesting solutions.
- Avoid forcing possessions to be removed without support.
- Seek professional advice where necessary.
“Listening first, without judgement, is often the most helpful thing you can do.”
Information for professionals
Referral pathways, assessment resources, safeguarding information and best-practice guidance for GPs, social workers, housing and fire services, and other professionals.
Professional support and referral informationTrusted national support organisations
Clouds End CIC
Community interest company set up by people with lived experience of hoarding, running peer-support groups and training for professionals.
0300 302 0770Visit websiteCitizens Advice
Free, independent advice on housing, eviction, debt and other issues that can arise alongside hoarding difficulties.
0800 144 8848Visit websiteHoarding UK
The UK's specialist hoarding charity, offering a national helpline, information and support for people affected by hoarding and the professionals who work with them.
0203 239 1600Visit websiteMind
National mental health charity offering information, a supportive helpline and local Mind network services relevant to anxiety, overwhelm and related difficulties.
0300 123 3393Visit websiteFrequently asked questions
Is hoarding disorder a mental-health condition?
Yes. It is a recognised mental-health condition, distinct from simply being untidy or having a large collection.
Can I get help through the NHS?
Yes. Your GP can discuss assessment and refer you to relevant mental-health or occupational-therapy services.
What if there is a fire or safety risk?
If there is immediate danger, call 999. For a home safety check, your local fire and rescue service offers free visits.
Can someone force me to throw my possessions away?
No one should force you to discard possessions without appropriate consideration and support.