Our Home Straight team, who help people with Hoarding Disorder, is keen to dispel the misconception that this disorder often conjures: images of squalor and self-neglect. Indeed, many cases involve rooms overflowing with possessions, but sometimes hoarding presents in ways you might not expect. Read our previous article to learn more.

Home Straight Coordinator, Gemma Rutter, recently discovered this firsthand. Gemma explained how her client, JN, had a home that wasn’t in disarray; instead, every cupboard and corner was meticulously organized, yet occupied by a single, unusual focus: beach pebbles.

“Every single cupboard space was completely full of these stones,” Gemma recalled, painting a picture of the sheer volume JN had collected. The living room, too, was overtaken with tubs and trays of stones encircling the sofa.

The stones, she learned, were a coping mechanism for his grief. ‘He sat on the beach…and contemplated walking into the sea,’ Gemma recalled. ‘JN found himself focusing on the stones on the beach, and began to collect them, learning about the different rocks and even making jewellery out of them.’ But the collection had spiralled out of control, and JN, with remarkable self-awareness, recognised the need for intervention.

Gemma’s approach was one of empathy. “What do you want to do with these rocks?” she had asked him. JN knew the stones needed to go back to the beach. And so, a weekly ritual began. Gemma and JN would transport tubs and bags of pebbles and stones back to the beach.

These trips became more than just a disposal exercise. “As we were doing that, we were talking about them. He’s talking about his grandparents,” Gemma shared. JN, who had found solace in the stones, now found a different kind of therapy in sharing their stories. He described the unique minerals and fossils within the stones, his initial struggle to part with them, and the gradual shift in his feelings. “He was smiling while he was doing it,” Gemma noted, a stark contrast from the beginning.

As the stones dwindled, so did JN’s fixation. JN has since maintained his living space, his home no longer a hazard but a sanctuary. Gemma also connected JN with Christians Against Poverty to address his debt and paperwork, recognising that his overall well-being was interconnected.

The positive impact of Gemma’s work is clear in JN’s words: “Gemma’s professionalism and genuine charisma made the entire experience positive and productive… She is a truly invaluable asset to your team, and I am deeply grateful for her support.”

JN’s case was atypical, even for Gemma. “It was an unusual one. I’ve not come across anything like it before or since,” she admitted. But it highlighted the core of Gemma’s work: understanding the individual, addressing the root of the behaviour, and offering support with compassion and respect. “We’re not there to rip out people’s belongings and retraumatise them,” she emphasised. When the situation allows, the process of reducing clutter-related risks presents significant opportunities for learning and positive change, recognising that each case is unique.

When asked what advice she would give to someone facing a similar situation, Gemma stressed the importance of seeking help and breaking down the task into “really tiny little tasks.” She also highlighted the need for patience and empathy from those supporting someone who hoards.

JN’s story demonstrates Home Straight’s holistic approach. The team addresses not just the hoarding, but also the individual’s underlying emotional and practical needs. In JN’s case, this meant understanding his autism and ADHD, acknowledging his bereavement, and connecting him with debt management support. This comprehensive approach recognises that healing and long-term recovery require more than just decluttering.

The team provides crucial support to individuals in Kent* and a professional referral is required. For more information, visit the Home Straight Service webpage where you can find out more about the Service and how referrals can be made. 

*This service is only available to residents living in the following local authority areas in Kent: 

• Tunbridge Wells 
• Tonbridge & Malling 
• Sevenoaks 
• Dover 
• Folkestone & Hythe 
• Thanet

If you live in a different region and need advice or support, please contact your local GP surgery or health centre.