Margaret’s story: How we helped a customer de-clutter their home
It’s not always easy to keep on top of clutter in the home, and there are a variety of reasons why people might hoard things. For one of our customers, Margaret, belongings had begun to pile up and become overwhelming.
“I had rather a lot of stuff to get rid of that I couldn't do by myself because I don't drive, and with my health conditions, it's a bit difficult to get things sorted,” she said. Margaret found that she’d often put things down somewhere and, unsure where they should go long-term, never moved them to a better spot. This resulted in a disorganised home that was difficult to find things in. “So, I needed help,” she said, “the right kind of help, and I was just a bit nervous about who to ask.”
When we became aware that Margaret needed support, we referred her to Lisa from our partner organisation, Organised Genie. Lisa worked closely with Margaret to sort through her belongings to make day-to-day life easier. “Lisa was very good at going at my pace,” Margaret said, adding that if she didn’t want to get rid of something, Lisa would respect that. “She's very understanding, you know. Emotionally, she knew where I was coming from.”
Margaret has always hated waste, so she was delighted with Lisa’s ability to think of creative new ways to use items rather than throw them away. “There were a few things I thought she'd be taking away, and actually she said, no, no, we'll use it for this, we'll use it for that,” Margaret explained.
After around five sessions and approximately 25 hours of work, Margaret and Lisa finished organising Margaret’s home. “I feel much better,” Margaret said, highlighting the sitting room and bedroom as areas she was particularly happy with. “Going through my clothes was a big block, but the bedrooms are a lot better. Most of Lisa’s ideas I've taken on. She showed me things to do, so it's a lot better. I’m pleased with it all, really.”
Margaret's progress: Before and after
If you’re struggling with clutter or hoarding in your home, we’re here to help. Get in touch on 0300 555 0500 (former CHP customers) or 0300 304 5000 (former Estuary customers).