Hoarders are people who are unable to dispose of excess or unused belongings, to the point where they are storing so many items that their living space becomes cramped. Estimates suggest that more than a million people in the UK may have hoarding issues.
There are many risks associated with hoarding, including those related to fire safety.
Karen Lock, from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Community Safety Team, said: “High levels of clutter make it much easier for a fire to start and create a greater risk of fire spreading, increasing the risk of injury and death. It can also make it very difficult to escape, and lead to difficulties for firefighters tackling the blaze.”
“In response to the COVID-19 restrictions we felt it important to be able to continue supporting our members during this difficult time, so we set up a conference call facility which allows us to link the group together, in a single phone call, while keeping personal numbers hidden. This has meant members have been able to continue to discuss their issues together, among those who are experiencing similar problems, and obtain information and opportunities, where appropriate, to support change where desired.
“We are expanding these telephone sessions during this COVID 19 period and into the future to reach more people, locally and from further afield, who need our support and may be unable to travel to the group sessions, normally held Haddenham Buckinghamshire; or who may simply prefer the group telephone support meetings option: we will continue to provide these extra group telephone sessions as long as they are needed. And /or, if requested, we will help support people into ours or other group meetings at venues, where possible, when things resume, so we are providing ongoing support in the best and most practical ways for people going forward in support of those with hoarding issues, their friends, families or carers.
If you are stuck indoors, isolated around this issue, and have a telephone and would like support!
Please email: ehassall@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or call Karen Lock on 01296 744476
For further information on the calls please visit Bucks Fire Service
