r/surrey•
Neddlings55

How to get help for a hoarder.

I have a relative with severe mental illness, and hoarding is an issue. The council have deemed their home a fire hazard and stated it needs to be cleared.

They fall under Waverley Borough Council, and are a council tenant.

Social services are absolute dog shit. They has been stuck in a cycle of having a yearly assessment, being found in need of support, and then having zero contact from SS until the next assessment, for over 10 years now.

Waverley are being very supportive, but are limited to what help they can provide. They have offered to supply a skip, but in terms of physical help they can provide assistance from probation/community services and thats too much for my relative. It would be multiple people and would have to be done in a short time frame.

They will not allow me in their property, so me helping isnt an option. I have intervened and sorted a previous accumulation years ago, but it resulted in a regression of their condition and they went no contact for over 3 years with me.

Guildford Borough Council offer a service where they take time (months if needed) to assist people, but unfortunately thats not available in the Waverley catchment area.

Are there any organisations or charities where we could get just one person to assist over a period of time? Someone who is understanding and sympathetic to the causes and impact of hoarding?

I have looked at decluttering services, but the costs are unaffordable.

Posted Apr 29, 2026, 7:01 AM UTC

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