Housing association Jigsaw Homes has been homing in on the problem of hoarding.

A new partnership has been created to help people across Tameside who are affected by hoarding behaviour and to help raise awareness of the disorder.

Jigsaw has joined forces with Tameside Adults Safeguarding Partnership Board (TASPB), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Ashton Pioneer Homes.

Hoarding is now a recognised mental health disorder but, unlike other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, it is often wrongly defined and stigmatised by what people have in their homes.

There are currently 45 cases of hoarding behaviour across Tameside and Jigsaw Homes’ hoarding specialist, Jayne Mee, is working with a number of them to help them access other vital support services.

She also works with the group’s neighbourhood safety team and the fire and rescue service to share the message about potential fire risks to those who hoard.

She said: “Hoarding is often seen as a bad habit, the result of laziness or a lifestyle choice, but it is none of these things.

“It is a psychological condition when someone cannot discard or part with their items without feeling extremely distressed.

“Because of the complexity of the disorder there are no quick fixes and we want others to see the person and not the ‘hoard’.

“Our main aim is to create and develop partnerships and work together as a team to support residents who are affected by hoarding.”

Cllr John Taylor, Tameside Council’s executive member for adult services, said: “Hoarding isn’t an eccentricity; it’s a recognised mental health condition.

“We want to increase awareness of what hoarding really is, bust some myths, promote greater understanding among the people and groups that can influence change, and provide support for people who have the condition.”

The new partnership teamed up to play its part during last month’s Hoarding Awareness Week to raise awareness of the disorder, dispel some of the myths around hoarding and provide effective support.

Earlier this year, Jigsaw Homes launched the Tameside Hoarding Peer Support Group, which uses the ‘Hoarders Helping Hoarders’ successful model of providing effective support for those people who exhibit hoarding behaviours.

If you have a hoarding disorder, or you know someone who does, you can get help by contacting Tameside Council on 0161 342 8355 or Jigsaw Homes Group (if you are a Jigsaw Homes resident) on 0300 011 1144.

For more information see http://hoardershelpinghoarders.com 

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