NATIONAL HOARDING AWARENESS WEEK
11th - 15th May 2026FOCUS FOR 2026:
National Guidelines for Hoarding Support: What does standardised support look like to you?This year our campaign will focus on shaping what should be included in national guidelines for hoarding support.
The aim is to build on the growing national conversation that began in October last year, when the UK Parliament held its first-ever debate on hoarding disorder and the urgent need for a standardised national approach to support.
Each year, our campaign highlights three key areas:
- Hoarding & Education - improving training, knowledge and understanding
- Multiagency Approaches – fostering collaboration across services
- Breaking the Stigma – recognising hoarding as a mental health condition
And this year, we’re bringing these strands together to highlight the essential elements that should form a clear, consistent approach to hoarding support.
We’re inviting people with lived experience of hoarding disorder, their friends and family, and practitioners across sectors to support the conversation and share their insights and experiences. Together, we can show why national guidelines are needed and what effective, practical support should look like.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
WHAT'S HAPPENING:
INVOLVEMENT AND EVENTSEmpathy in Action:
THE NEED FOR AWARENESSRaising awareness for hoarding disorder and behaviour is crucial because it helps break down stigma, promotes empathy, and encourages individuals to seek support without fear of judgment. Hoarding is often misunderstood as mere messiness or laziness, when in reality, it is a complex mental health condition that can severely impact a person’s well-being, relationships, and safety.
Increased awareness can lead to better access to resources, earlier intervention, and more effective treatment options. It also educates the wider community on how to approach loved ones struggling with hoarding in a compassionate and supportive way, fostering understanding and collective action to improve lives.
