
The aim of our CPD accredited training is to understand hoarding and how to apply a variety of tools & techniques to support those affected.
About this event
Purpose:-
This hoarding awareness training is intended to help raise awareness of hoarding as a mental health disorder and give you tools and techniques to apply to help those affected by hoarding behaviour, chronic disorganisation and extreme clutter.
Each hoarding case is unique and the support that can be provided will be bespoke to the challenges of an individual situation. You will learn more about this, along with the complexities of hoarding, during this training.
Content:-
Session 1 – Understanding hoarding
- History of hoarding
- What is hoarding disorder?
- Who the disorder can affect
- Contributing factors / triggers
- What is chronic disorganisation?
- Characteristics of hoarding
- The impact of hoarding
Session 2 – How to help
- The visual assessment
- Multi-agency working
- Decluttering tips
- Motivation
- Letting Go
- Support Groups
- Dos and don’ts
Session 3 – Further knowledge
- The Care Act 2014
- The Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Environmental Health
- Harm reduction
- Tools and techniques
- Emotional resilience
- BBC Documentary
- Recommended reading
Who is this for:-
- Practitioners, staff and volunteers on the front-line
- Family/friends who support those who have hoarding behaviours
Duration:-
1.5 hours x 3 sessions on one-day
Session Times:-
- Session 1 – 9.00am to 10.30am
- Session 2 – 11.00am to 12.30pm
- Session 3 – 1.30pm to 3.00pm
This training is accredited by The CPD Standards Office – CPD Provider: 22412
NB: This and other workshops are available to be booked at your organisation for up to 15 people to suit your requirements. Contact us at info@hoardingdisordersuk.org to enquire.
Hoarding Disorders UK is a not for profit Community Interest Company. Our aim is to provide expert advice to those affected by the varying levels of hoarding disorder, ranging from the chronically disorganised to those with extreme clutter.
We support professionals, the individuals and those surrounding the person to effect change which impacts on their lives as well as the wider local community.
We have a responsible and unique person-centered approach using professional decluttering, life skills and home organisational skills. We provide an ethical, sustainable and quality approach throughout our work which includes signposting, coaching, mentoring, research, support groups, education and training.
We work collaboratively with professionals and organisations in contact with both individuals and families.

Jo Cooke is a Director of ‘Hoarding Disorders UK – Community Interest Company’ and also runs her own business ‘Tapioca Tidy’. She is also the author of the book “Understanding Hoarding” which is fast becoming the “go to manual” for people affected, their families and agencies that work with people exhibiting hoarding behaviours.
She has appeared in the Guardian newspaper, Cosmopolitan magazine and other publications. She has also appeared a number of times on BBC Radio and in a BBC documentary ‘Inside Out’. Jo was selected as a finalist for the Thames Valley Venus Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Jo is a professional declutterer and organiser who has a very professional, calm, non-judgemental and “makes sense” approach to helping you reclaim your space. Jo previously had a varied career in charitable organisations, human resources, project management, bookkeeping and the civil service, but realised she had a flair for decluttering and organising when she had to sell the family home that her father had lived in for more than 30 years. She has a wealth of experience and skills required when working in cluttered environments and takes a responsible and empathetic approach to the needs of people she works with.
Jo co-facilitates three hoarding support groups in Bracknell, on the telephone and on-line.
You can contact Jo at jo@hoardingdisordersuk.org

Jo Cavalot is a Director of ‘Hoarding Disorders UK – Community Interest Company’ and also runs her own business ‘Dottymow’ as well as other initiatives ‘Fibble’ and ‘Under the Stuff’.
Jo has been a declutterer and professional organiser since 2017 helping people to create, space, harmony and peace of mind by letting go of the things they no longer need. She has a natural ability to create and implement systems and organise both people and their things.
Jo has struggled with her own demons in life and when she began to learn more about people affected by hoarding behaviours she realised that this was an area she really wanted to specialise in and approached Jo Cooke to begin the exciting process of taking Hoarding Disorders UK to the north.
Previously, Jo had a long career in the printing industry, working in a variety of roles from operations and production management to project director. Through her own journey of recovery since 2012, Jo has found ways to overcome her own fears and emotional baggage from the past and has spent a great deal of time supporting others with their issues too. Jo understands that any problem with clutter tends to be about more than just the stuff and is empathetic and understanding in helping people to deal with this.
Jo’s other inititiatives; Fibble – looking at executive functions; and Under the Stuff – helping people to identify underlying trauma through a therapy called Compassionate Inquiry (an approach based on the work of Dr. Gabor Mate) are also her passions.
Jo facilitates Squirrel Support Squad, an online hoarding support group.
You can contact Jo at jo.cavalot@hoardingdisordersuk.org.

Paul Cooper has been working with Hoarding Disorders UK CIC since 2016 and is based in Gloucestershire.
Previously he worked in sales and recruitment as well as 5 years in the Inclusion center of a secondary school. Paul featured in the BBC1 documentary with Jo and has written two books and featured in several others. Paul is also known for his character Martin Mucklowe in the BBC award winning comedy This Country. In his spare time, he is director of a children’s charity, the National Children’s Football Alliance.
Paul brings an abundance of patience, calm, and reassurance to his role within Hoarding Disorders UK CIC and also brings humour and empathy which are much needed in the world of clutter, chronic disorganisation and hoarding.
For available dates and booking instructions, follow the link below:
All sessions in the block are booked at 1 time by selecting the first date when you purchase the tickets and are not transferable to alternative dates (you can’t mix and match).
NB: This and other workshops are available to be booked at your organisation for up to 15 people to suit your requirements. Contact us at info@hoardingdisordersuk.org to enquire.