As the daughter of someone who had hoarding tendencies and Alzheimer's, I can empathise with the physical, psychological and emotional challenged faced by families living with lots of stuff, and have learned from personal experience the sensitivity required to calmly help people holistically restore balance to their home.
If you're looking for bespoke, confidential, non-judgemental, person-centred, practical, motivational help, advice and support to empower you to transform your home - at a pace that works for you - you've come to the right place. Especially if your first flush of youth feels like only yesterday (but is actually more of a distant memory), or your health has seen better days, or symptoms related to conditions like ADHD (which I can relate to, having been diagnosed in 2019), Autism, Fibromyalgia, OCD, Dementia or mental illness complicate your life on a regular basis.
I'm proud to be campaigning to reduce the stigma associated with hoarding behaviours, as well as training, coaching and mentoring the next generation of professional practitioners.
So, are you ready to warm up your decluttering muscles? Then please phone, text or email me to arrange a free one-hour initial consultation, and get ready to take the first steps on your decluttering journey!
As an Open University qualified Project Manager, former Director level PA, former Cub Scout Leader and experienced Marketer, I've been leading, managing and coaching people of all ages about change and diversity in a broad range of environments and industries for many years. The trick to motivating people to succeed is to engage with all the stakeholders right from the beginning of a project, empower them to be a part of the planning and implementation process, be prepared to be flexible, have the right interpersonal skills (and plenty of patience) to give support and encouragement, and make it fun!
The experiences I've had as the daughter of someone who had hoarding behaviours and Dementia plus my own lived experiences of having ADHD (late diagnosed) and (a few years ago) a stress related illness mean I can relate personally to many of the dilemmas that my clients find themselves in.
I'm a Trustee of the Fastminds Adult ADHD Support Group in Kingston-upon-Thames, a Dementia Friend, and a member of the National Fire Chief Council's Hoarding Working Group; I helped organise the very first Hoarding Awareness Week in 2014, which is also when I co-delivered the UK's first Hoarding Awareness Training for Professional Organisers.
My passion for topics such as health and safety (especially ADHD, Autism, Executive Dysfunction, mental illness - including Dementia) and hoarding behaviours has lead me to study them at length, as well as subjects like self neglect, safeguarding, trauma and Motivational Interviewing. It's why I created the Hoarding Ice-Breaker Form, which has been recognised by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), and translated into various languages, for use around the World. www.hoardingicebreakerform.org
Specialisms
ASD
Been working primarily with Neurodivergent clients since 2011, and delivering training and talks on topics related to Neurodevelopmental conditions, clutter, disorganisation and hoarding behaviours since 2018.
Attended Autism & Pathological Demand Avoidance training (p-ast).
ADHD
Been working primarily with Neurodivergent clients since 2011,
Diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 (aged 56). Trustee of the Fastminds Adult ADHD Support Group in Kingston-upon-Thames since 2020. www.adhdkingston.org.uk
Offer Peer Advocacy support (as a Volunteer) to clients and members of the support group.
Attended UKAAN Training Course - Psychosocial Support and Skills Training - November 2019.
Been delivering training on the connection between Neurodivergent conditions, trauma, chronic disorganisation and hoarding behaviours since 2018.
Hoarding behaviour
Member of NFCC's Hoarding Working Group since 2013. Been a trainer of Hoarding Awareness since 2014, including for Professional Hoarding Practitioners; Surrey Fire & Rescue Service; Occupational Therapists; charities, etc.
Creator of the Hoarding Ice-Breaker Form. www.hoardingicebreakerform.org.uk
Daughter of a person with hoarding behaviours.
Dementia Friend. Attended numerous training courses and conferences since 2011, including: Dementia awareness for Firefighters; Safeguarding; Motivational Interviewing; Working with hard to engage end-users; Hoarding Disorder: Choice & Control; Homelessness Law: Introductory course (Shelter) 2022.
Public Speaking
Former APDO Board member (Marketing, PR & Partnerships Officer, 2011-2014).
Been delivering workshops (including at APDO Conference), training and talks (eg. at conferences and mental health events) on topics related to clutter, disorganisation and hoarding behaviours since 2013, plus Neurodevelopmental conditions since 2018.
Attended NCFE / ILM 'Training the Trainer' training (College of Public Speaking) in April 2018.
"Excellent! Love what u said;Think of the contents of the garage as a huge meal; eating it all at once could give you indigestion. Little and often is better and easier to digest!"
"I was dreading seeing you and how you would react. I immediately felt very comfortable with you. You have an abundance of compassion... And excessively kind."
"Cherry's qualities? Energy, goodwill and good sense, high intelligence, skilled project management and the true caring that informs everything she does."