A Letter from the Chair
As I sit at my dining-desk table, working and watching the hail pelt the window, I think it’s Spring!
Renewal. Light. The beginnings of regrowth as buds develop on branches.
The idiosyncrasy of hail and new blooms is not unusual, really. The cliché of March coming in like a lion and going out as a lamb reminds us that it’s natural. Oddly, as regular as irregularity is, our response to it – at times- does not reflect this. Uncertainty feels uncomfortable.
Hypervigilance. Anxiety. The murmurs of discontent can seem to uproot us from that which grounds us.
Acceptance of unpredictability does not necessarily dim our reactions to it. It can, though, help us to build resilience. Not ‘getting used to it’, instead recognition.
So, as the winds blow fiercely while the sun rains down brightly, as the four seasons happen in a single day. Dress well.
The rest? Not in our control.
Wishing you a bloomin’ spring 😉 however it comes.
-Megan
The Webby Awards
We’re delighted to share the film on how hoarding has impacted Carol’s life has been nominated for a Webby Award.
This award is decided entirely by public vote… which means it’s in your hands.
Voting open til 16th April
It takes less than a minute, and truly makes a difference. Thank you for being part of the journey.
HUK Hoarding National Conference
14 May, 2026 : 10.00-16.00
Online via Teams
Pay What You Can
Our question for this year’s Annual Conference is ‘Who is the Guide’?
HoardingUK will be working in partnership with other relevant professionals to have the UK government draw up coherent guidelines about the support and management of hoarding behaviour.
If you want to make a difference at the national level, join the conversation. Hoarding UK’s Annual Conferences are user-lead, which means that people with hoarding behaviour, informal support communities and professional views all need to be heard.
Tickets are £10 to those who can afford it, for those that cannot please consider any other amount as a donation. Thank you for supporting our work.
Mandi Simms
Anyone who has met Mandi, has experienced the light that exudes from within her. Selling her beautiful vintage clothing, the shop became a centre of the local community – not only for people with hoarding behaviours – but for those drawn to that light.
“Came across this amazing shop today and met Mandi, all I can say is WOW what an inspiration this lady is & what she is doing for the community.”
Sadly, the organisation who established the programme which provided the space for the shop lost the contract. As such the shop has had to close down. At HoardingUK we want to recognise Mandi’s success in this extraordinary achievement. It is just one of the many things she has done, and continues to do, to change hearts and minds.
We look forward to our next journey together! Watch this space.
HUK AGM
HoardingUK’s Annual General Meeting will follow the National Conference on 14 May.
AGMs provide an opportunity for us to come together and make important decisions about HoardingUK. T his is an open meeting although only active members will be eligible to vote formally, but everyone’s views will be considered and counted. Members can add formal agenda items until 27 May at 5pm, please send your items to trustee@hoardinguk.org
We encourage you to attend if you have ideas or suggestions for our charity’s future. Please use the link below to register.
The agenda will be shared before the meeting. If you have any questions, please email media@hoardinguk.org
Tickets are £10 to those who can afford it, for those that cannot please consider any other amount as a donation. Thank you for supporting our work.
LGBTQAI+ Support Group
We are proud to announce that our online support group for the LGBTQAI+ community is being relaunched in April. Click the link below to snap up a space before they’re all taken!
Your Online Training & Communities
Choice and Control in Hoarding Behaviour Training
Chairing Postive Change
Motivational Interviewing Training
Join us for an inspiring Motivational Interviewing Open Day on Thursday, 25th September, from 10:00-16:30, and enhance your skills!
Family, Friends and Others Support Groups
At the request of many, HUK has launched an online support group for family, friends and others who are not professionals to get support, then in turn better support people who hoard. For more information about the impact we’re making, read about here in this Guardian article.
HUK Helpline
Sign up for 27 45-minute sessions on a weekly, fortnightly and then monthly basis through our Helpline. We offer the service free of charge, but are asking people to make a donation of any amount to support our important work.
Place in the Space Support Group
These monthly psychological and practical support sessions offer a safe space to anyone who hoards who wants to work on managing their space and wellbeing. Please consider joining, no one is required at any point in these sessions to let go of any item explored.
User Involvement Group Meetings
This event is intended for HoardingUK users, including people who have utilised our services or attended our training courses.
If you are a user and have suggestions about how we can improve our services, we encourage you to join us here and give your valued feedback.
Alberto
Reviewing Place in the Space
“Much-needed group. The coordinator is highly knowledgeable on the subject and is kind, understanding, caring, and welcoming. I’m deeply grateful that people like me have a safe space to talk about hoarding.“