Virtual Chronic Disorganisation Training

Purpose:-

This chronic disorganisation training is intended to help raise awareness of this issue as a real challenge for many people that undermines their quality of life. We are seeing an increase in people affected by chronic disorganisation as a result of a variety of factors including neurodiverse conditions, long term stress and living in anxious times. Many homes may present as hoarded, but there may not be the emotional attachment that comes with hoarding disorder. Chronic disorganisation may better describe what is occuring in these environments.

Are you always late? Do you miss appointments? Do you lose your keys? Struggle to keep on top of household paperwork? Have to pay penalties on late tax returns? Are you always fighting to do the laundry?

Our training will provide you with tools and techniques to apply to help yourself or those impacted by the negative effects of chronic disorganisation.

Each person is unique and the support that can be provided will be bespoke to the challenges of an individual situation. You will learn more about this, along with the complexities of chronic disorganisation during this training.

Content:-

• What is chronic disorganisation (CD)?
• Who can be affected by CD
• Contributing factors/triggers
• Characteristics of CD
• The impact of CD
• Neurological conditions
• Conditions that could contribute to CD
• What are executive functions?
• What is neurodiversity?
• Hoarding versus CD
• Types of hoarding
• Being your own detective
• How to help
• Procrastination
• Decluttering tips
• Habits
• Learning styles
• Understanding beliefs around possessions
• Spiral of change
• Dos and don’ts
• Recommended reading

Who is this for:-

• Those affected by disorganisation
• Practitioners, staff and volunteers on the front-line
• Family/friends who support those who are disorganised

Duration:-

1.5 hours x 3 sessions on one day

Session Times (all times UK):-

• Session 1 - 9.00am to 10.30am
• Session 2 - 11.00am to 12.30pm
• Session 3 - 1.30pm to 3.00pm

NB: This and other workshops are available to be booked for your organisation for up to 15 people to suit your requirements. Contact us at info@hoardingdisordersuk.org to enquire.

Hoarding Disorders UK is a not for profit Community Interest Company. Our aim is to provide expert advice to those affected by the varying levels of hoarding disorder, ranging from the chronically disorganised to those with extreme clutter.

We support professionals, the individuals and those surrounding the person to effect change which impacts on their lives as well as the wider local community.

We have a responsible and unique person-centered approach using professional decluttering, life skills and home organisational skills. We provide an ethical, sustainable and quality approach throughout our work which includes signposting, coaching, mentoring, research, support groups, education and training.

We work collaboratively with professionals and organisations in contact with both individuals and families.

Jo Cooke is a Director of ‘Hoarding Disorders UK – Community Interest Company’ and also runs her own business ‘Tapioca Tidy’. She is also the author of the book “Understanding Hoarding” which is fast becoming the “go to manual” for people affected, their families and agencies that work with people exhibiting hoarding behaviours.

She has appeared in the Guardian newspaper, Cosmopolitan magazine and other publications. She has also appeared a number of times on BBC Radio, ITV's 'This Morning' and in a BBC documentary ‘Inside Out’. Jo was selected as a finalist for the Thames Valley Venus Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Jo is a professional declutterer and organiser who has a very professional, calm, non-judgemental and “makes sense” approach to helping you reclaim your space. Jo previously had a varied career in charitable organisations, human resources, project management, bookkeeping and the civil service, but realised she had a flair for decluttering and organising when she had to sell the family home that her father had lived in for more than 30 years. She has a wealth of experience and skills required when working in cluttered environments and takes a responsible and empathetic approach to the needs of people she works with.

Jo co-facilitates three hoarding support groups in Bracknell, on the telephone and on-line.

You can contact Jo at jo@hoardingdisordersuk.org

Kat Band is based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, and serves as a Director for Hoarding Disorders UK (East) CIC, where she leads strategic and service development initiatives. She is dedicated to raising awareness of hoarding disorders across the East of the UK. Additionally, Kat runs The Hummingbird Effect, a social purpose business that specialises in professional decluttering and organisational strategies, with a particular focus on chronic disorganisation and hoarding behaviours.

Kat co-delivers training alongside Jo Cooke and the rest of the team across the UK. Hoarding Disorders UK training focuses on deepening understanding, increasing awareness, and providing effective support for individuals with hoarding behaviours. Chronic disorganisation is an area of particular interest for Kat, and as a late-diagnosed autistic woman with ADHD (AuDHD), she brings a valuable lived-experience perspective to her work and training approach.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the charity sector, Kat has worked with children, families, and communities, always emphasising trauma-informed practices, co-production, and addressing health inequalities. For the past 9 years, Kat served as an Assistant Director at Barnardo’s, leading a diverse portfolio that included Child and Family Centres, Family Hubs, Early Years Settings, Domestic Abuse Services, and Neuro-Development Pathways. She also served as the Regional Safeguarding Lead for high-risk service provision.

Kat is passionate about peer support and co-facilitates the very first peer support group for individuals with hoarding behaviours in Stamford. Recently, she received funding to research effective methods of group-based support and is passionate about furthering understanding of “what works”. In addition, she co-facilitates online listening spaces for the loved ones of those with hoarding tendencies on behalf of Hoarding Disorders UK.

Known for her sensitive and compassionate approach, Kat is calm, collected, and clear-thinking in crisis situations. As an empath, she has a unique ability to help people feel “seen, heard, and held.” While Kat would readily admit that she isn’t naturally organised, she has developed strategies over the years to manage her home, work, and life. This personal journey makes her especially empathetic and well-suited to support others who struggle with executive function or the challenges of “just doing the thing.”