CLIENT-CENTRED SPECIALIST SERVICE

We provide ‘hands-on’ help for people in their home.

Our primary goal is to improve the health, safety and well-being of our clients.

We do not condone enforced clear-outs.

We work with people who are affected by hoarding disorder and other conditions that result in extreme clutter and chronic disorganisation to make long-term sustainable change.

We embrace human diversity and respond with care and compassion to every individual that we work with.

HOARDING DISORDER

Classified as a distinct mental condition by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

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International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) definition
Hoarding is characterised by the accumulation of possessions due to excessive acquisition of or difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. Excessive acquisition is characterized by repetitive urges or behaviours related to amassing or buying items. Difficulty discarding possessions is characterized by a perceived need to save items and distress associated with discarding them. Accumulation of possessions results in living spaces becoming cluttered to the point that their use or safety is compromised. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

CLUTTER & DISORGANISATION

Clutter is not always a symptom of hoarding.

People who live in cluttered and chaotic homes could be ‘chronically disorganised’ due to neurological differences. Alternatively, they could be ‘situationally disorganised’ as a result of a traumatic life event.

“Chronic disorganisation is the result of the bad fit between people who organise unconventionally and the very conventional organising methods which exist for them to use.”
~ Judith Kolberg

SELF ASSESSMENT

Is excessive clutter effecting your life?

  • Do you feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your home?
  • Are you concerned about what others might think of you if they saw the clutter in your home?
  • Do you avoid inviting people into your home because of the clutter?
  • Do you have to move things in order to complete tasks in your home?
  • Do you struggle to find things when you need them because of clutter?
  • Do you often buy things you already have because you can’t find or access them in your home?
  • Do you have areas in your home you can’t use the way you would like to because of clutter?
  • Has your family life suffered as a result of the clutter in your home?
  • Have you incurred debt you can’t afford as a result of the clutter?
  • Do you have to be careful when walking through your home in order to avoid tripping over objects?
  • Have you neglected taking care of things that need to be done in your home because of the clutter?
  • Are you worried about the amount of clutter in your home?

If you answered yes to any of these questions and you are considering making some changes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to help.

TESTIMONIALS

What people say about us

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Linda works with an empathic approach that is rare and valuable. She treats each individual client precisely as that – an individual. Her caring ability is one that is tempered and mixed with a practicality. She shows great respect for the person she is working with as well as their belongings. She treats the people she works with in a humane and, dare I say, loving way.

As a person with long-term physical and mental disabilities, I can say from experience that Life-Pod came into my life as a surprising and positive phenomenon.

Even during the initial consultation when they came to my home, so cluttered that I was isolated and unsafe, Life-Pod showed a comprehension I had not encountered before from any health professional.

To find someone who is able to read my body language and respond immediately to a change in my voice tone makes such a difference. There are guilty feelings attached to hoarding behaviour and we hide or distract from uncomfortable thoughts.

Linda knows about the layers of emotion and pain that have to be picked apart every time physical objects are touched. Her confidence and humour is infectious. She gives practical help and useful psychological techniques, allowing me to find the right language to frame my efforts.

Over many years I have faced problems associated with hoarding, which has led to a great deal of discomfort in my life. In the past, when I have looked for solutions the answer has been to get rid of everything in one go, which leads to more mental health issues in the long run. It is refreshing then to see the process that Linda uses in dealing with the issue of hoarding and disorganisation.

There are many people who don’t understand what hoarding disorder is, or how to deal with it. I am very glad that I am in the position to be able to work with a dedicated and knowledgeable professional who I feel makes a real difference to my life.

You helped me to make sense of things; you have helped me to understand my clutter and how it came to be when everyone else had just written me off. You listened to me!

Because of you, we now understand [the person] a lot more and can support him better because of that.

You helped me part with things I was holding on to, for no real reason but was never able to get rid off.  The fact that you donate them on to someone else makes all the difference. My stuff is helping others and I like that!