Compulsive Hoarding Training with the Insight Academy, “I have loved the training! Once again Steven has been vibrant, funny and engaging."

Greetings faithful readers of my blog posts,

I recently delivered Trapped and Drowning in My Things – my compulsive hoarding training to an array of professionals from across Stoke on Trent.  I delivered this course on behalf of the Expert Citizens Insight Academy.  A valuable recourse at the heart of Stoke’s support services.  As always with the course the level of interest from those assembled was very high.  People find the subject matter of curiosity and more than anything people want to know what they can do to support people who are collecting and hoarding their belongings.

My course not only gives you the psychological make up of someone prone to hoarding, it also equips you with some of the skills to work alongside somebody who is filling their home to the rafters. 

·         What is causing this? 

·         What type of hoarding is it? 

·         Do they have an emotional connection to their things? 

·         Where does grief and trauma fit into all of this? 

·         What can we do to empower people into a more positive life? 

To say that people love the training would be an understatement.  From Paula’s film to the ‘importance’ task, learners throw themselves into the training and it is rewarding for me to see how people recognise the amount of research and creativity that I have put into the course. 

Onward and upward!  The adventure continues, we are indeed making a positive difference. 

What did you gain from the training?

“I learned how to approach the topic with a client without causing offence.”

“I didn’t know that there was so much support.”

“The clutter scale, DESC Trauma / mental health is a big part of hoarding.”

“Clutter scale, DESC.”

“That there is support networks for hoarding.”

“Reasons behind hoarding, best approaches.”

“I have a better understanding about hoarding, the risks and support services that are available.”

“More options are needed for those who own their properties where there are concerns re home conditions and hoarding.”

“I didn’t realise the amount of support available, the training reinforced the methods of motivational interviewing, address the person not the problem.”

“About the clutter rating scale and how to use it in a conversation, how to support them i.e. using the boxes and slowly building it up.”

“It was good to include local services to link in with.”

“All training relevant and very informative, reminder to look at courses, support networks to access, that hoarding is a mental illness.”

“Importance of empathy when dealing with hoarding, more emphasis on practical things to do with them.”

“Strategies to tackle hoarding, to recognise the reason behind the behaviour.”

“DESC approach, box technique to tackle severing ties, to look at / abide SOT hoarding policy, support already available, best approach is to tackle the grief.”

“The extent of compulsive hoarding, true / false questions at the beginning was a good one. DESC approach, task – characteristics.”

“The extent and breakdown of compulsive hoarding.”

“I learnt more about why people would begin hoarding and how great of a factor grief is when it comes to hoarding, I also learnt more about fire hazards which I wasn’t so aware of before, I can’t think of anything else that could have been included.”

“I learnt more about why people hoard and understanding the technique of having a conversation with them.”

How has the training helped? 

“I will be more aware that there could be deeper underlying issues going on.”

“This will help me support the customer I work with .”

“Working with young people to help them stop hoarding at an early age.”

“Able to approach my residents who are struggling.”

“To help you people to keep rooms tidy.”

“Awareness of what starts this, how to approach and work with people who hoard.”

“I currently have a hoarding case that I have recently been allocated the training has given me a better understanding of why they hoard.”

“Great understanding + approaches that could be used with adults I support eg plastic box exercise.”

“Will make me more aware of what’s behind the behaviour, we need to address the issue with young people - not let problems grow.”

“I’ll be able to refer the clutter rating scale if there are concerns regarding hoarding.”

“I have gained more knowledge on how to support people who are collecting items and better approaches to use.”

“Always ensure customer has full input to any action / process required. Support customer to make informed choices of how to move forward.”

“I will feel more confident when dealing with hoarders.”

“To support residents / customers to tackle hoarding behaviour.”

“I will use the box method will get joint working in place before tackling with resident. Terminology with residents & other support agencies.”

“Increased listening, allow time - give time to respond.”

“To be much more patient and see beyond the issue in front of me. Understand the possible purpose - refer to the characteristics chart.”

“I will be more attentive and listen clearly to what the customer is saying, instead of commanding them or talking at them (I didn’t do this before, but I’m clearer of the differences.)”

“I will put in mind that all cases are unique as well as the individual, therefore I will work towards understanding what matters to the individual, I will adopt more person-centred practice.”

Would you recommend this training to others?

“Yes - very knowledgeable makes training interesting and interactive.”

“Yes - I found today very interesting.”

“Yes, the trainer was enthusiastic and bubbly, also very knowledgeable.”

“Yes, it was very good.”

“Yes - Very informative.”

“Yes, trainer was very passionate about the subject and knowledgeable.”

“Very engaging & informative.”

“Yes, it has been very informative.”

“Yes, very informative and interactive.”

“Yes, because there is still a lot of misconceptions and stigma attached.”

“Yes, as it provided activities to use to support individuals who hoard.”

“Yes, training is always very interesting and engaging, training with Steven always makes you think how to better your practice.”

“Yes, I would recommend, I feel it will benefit anyone who works with or knows people on a personal level that displays hoarding traits.”

“Yes, 100% extremely well delivered.”

“Yes, it’s very informative.”

“Yes, Housing displaced people who have history of trauma & substance abuse, hoarding (particularly in gardens) is a huge issue especially complaints from neighbours.”

“Yes, very organised, pace of, working good, tasks & interactions - allows other perspectives.”

“I highly recommend this training to further support the people of Stoke on Trent. To reduce, prevent & delay escalation of possible life-threatening situation.”

“Yes, the trainer was so knowledgeable and made the session incredibly interesting. Its such important information to know, and the way it was delivered was so effective. I didn’t switch off once.”

“Yes, I would, with informed / enhanced knowledge, practice will be meaningful and better for service users.”

“Keep coming back with your great training to Stoke :).”

“I have loved the training! Once again Steven has been vibrant, funny and engaging. It has helped bring the team even closer together.”

“Amazing and informative content in the course, loved the trainers delivery & vibe.”

“Course was very interesting.”

“Thank you! Great session as always :).”

“I really enjoyed the training - the setting and lunch were also very good thanks :).”

“Brilliant as always.”