Cloudsend CIC

It’s our 15th birthday! On the 9th of December 2009 Clouds End CIC was officially born and became the first social enterprise in the UK to support individuals with Hoarding Disorder, set up by our wonderful director Heather Matuozzo after she realised there were no support networks already existing for those with the condition. Heather on her journey to developing our CIC ‘ In the early 2000’s I was working as a de-clutterer and was invited to work with a lady whose children had been removed due to the house being hoarded.After working together for 9 months, I realised how

Join us during #NationalGriefAwarenessWeek to look at the connection between grief and hoarding. Grief and Hoarding Disorder may seem like separate struggles, but they are often intertwined. For those coping with loss, the accumulation of possessions can feel like a way to hold onto memories, control, or comfort. By addressing the underlying grief and offering empathetic support, we can help individuals break free from the cycle of hoarding and move toward healing. How Grief Can Lead to Hoarding Holding Onto Memories: When grieving, individuals often struggle to let go of items that hold sentimental value, these objects are physical reminders

Did you know individuals who suffer from Hoarding Disorder are usually silent victims of Antisocial Behaviour? Hoarding Disorder is a mental health condition, not an act antisocial behaviour Hoarding Disorder is a complex mental health condition, it often occurs after an individual has experienced a traumatic event or gone through something life changing, the excessive amount of items they hold onto is not a habit or choice, it is a coping mechanism. Although over the last ten years there has been a massive increase in education and awareness around the condition, there is unfortunately still a lot of unwanted stigma

Understanding how stress impacts an individual with Hoarding Disorder and how it can be reduced. Stress has a significant impact on individuals with Hoarding Disorder, not only do general life stresses intensify symptoms and make it more difficult to manage the condition, going through the hoarding support process and regaining their space is a highly stress experience, due to the trauma and emotions that are being worked through. It is extremely beneficial to understand the impact of stress and how to reduce it in order to help support an individual with the condition Triggers Hoarding Behaviours Stress often acts as

In support of ADHD Awareness Month, Sam Wainman who is a psychologist, PhD Researcher at The University of Birmingham and Clouds End CIC associate trainer, takes a look at the link between ADHD and hoarding disorder Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hoarding disorder (HD) are two distinct mental health conditions. At first glance, they might seem unrelated, but emerging research suggests there could be intriguing connections between them. Studies have shown that individuals who struggle with hoarding are more likely to exhibit symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity—key characteristics of ADHD. This raises the question: what might explain this overlap? Psychologists

For individuals with hoarding disorder or behaviour, managing shopping habits can be a challenging activity, the urge to acquire more items often stems from deeper emotional needs or compulsions, leading to overconsumption on a vast level. Alongside the emotional support to unpack and help them process the life experiences that lead to an individual to hoard, learning to manage shopping habits is a crucial step toward reclaiming control and creating a healthier relationship with possessions. Here are some practical tips to help navigate and handle shopping habits. Recognise Your Triggers Understanding what triggers your urge to shop is the first

Hoarding Disorder is a complex and often misunderstood condition that involves persistent difficulty in discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. This behavior can lead to high levels of clutter, distress, and impairment in daily functioning. Supporting someone with Hoarding Disorder can be challenging, but one key element can make a world of difference: compassion. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of compassion in helping individuals with Hoarding Disorder and how it can encourage positive change and healing. Understanding Hoarding Disorder: Before diving into the role of compassion, it’s crucial to understand that Hoarding Disorder is not

As much as we try to compromise and give compassion to those we love, living with a loved one who has hoarding disorder can be emotionally and physically challenging. The overwhelming clutter associated with hoarding can take a toll on family members’ wellbeing and relationships. In this post, we explore practical coping strategies to help family members navigate living with an individual with hoarding disorder. 1. Educate Yourself: Understanding hoarding disorder is the first step toward coping effectively with the challenges it presents. Take the time to educate yourself about the nature of hoarding, its underlying causes, and evidence-based treatment

Looking after your wellbeing while supporting clients with Hoarding Disorder Supporting clients with hoarding disorder can be really rewarding, you play such a massive part in their journey to getting a handle on their hoard. However, it can also be emotionally taxing, as professionals dedicated to helping others it is crucial to prioritise your own emotional wellbeing. Here are some essential self-care strategies to consider as you navigate your role in supporting clients with hoarding disorder: Establish Boundaries Boundaries are essential for maintaining your emotional health. Clearly define your role and limitations in your interactions with clients. While empathy is

The benefits of utilising a multi-agency approach for hoarding clients Very often individuals with hoarding disorder can be working with multiple agencies at one given time, to get the most positive outcome for the client it is crucial to implement a multi-agency approach. Each agency will include insight from their services and work together to create a sustainable action plan, with the clients needs at the centre, ensuring everyone is working to achieve the same outcome. Here at Clouds End CiIC we refer to this approach as ‘Supportive Intervention ™️’, below we explore in more detail the benefits it has