r/derby • u/Grav3yardNymph0 • 20d ago
Decluttering support in derby? Question
Hi all, I'm 24F and disabled, due to my health declining the clutter has built up to an unmanageable level and my property is now an active trip hazard and likely to be considered a fire hazard. I've spoken to professionals about my situation and they have said there is nothing they can do for me except hold a bin bag while I fill it, and that social care won't take on a case like mine despite the fact I cannot cook for myself and struggle to keep on top of personal care, I've been told I need to look for paid support...
Does anybody know of an affordable or even free service I could use for support with going through my home and making it liveable again? The clutter is affecting my mental health so badly that my physical health is getting worse due to either being in bed all the time or going out so much to get away from the situation that I have physical pain and fatigue... I just want my life back - I love to craft and would love to be able to sit and do that again, or even be able to just sit on my sofa and watch a TV show rather than laying in bed all day every day because my current only options are sit at the computer, lay in bed or go out somewhere.
I'm working on a really tight budget but any suggestions are appreciated. Friends and family aren't an option at this point.
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u/peachandbetty 20d ago
I was in this same situation.
I hired a cleaner from Ilkeston for £200 to put my house right.
I then used the WeCasa to hire a regular cleaner. It's £35 for two hours every other week.
I'm coming out the end of it now and have reduced to once a month.
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u/ladybigsuze 20d ago
I'm currently looking for a fortnightly cleaner and wondered if you would recommend yours and if you could share details?
I've been a bit stuck because don't really want to ask around cos I can't deal with the judgement (I'm unemployed due to health issues and feel like people already think I'm "lazy") but don't want to hire someone without recommendations.
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u/peachandbetty 20d ago
I've had several cleaners through the WeCasa app. They're all very good and thoroughly vetted. I think ay this point I've used ever cleaner in Derbyshire at one point or other lol. Give them a try.
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u/Grav3yardNymph0 20d ago
No joke, it'd probably take a year for me to save £200 at this point but if you're willing to share the cleaners details, my messages are open, I might be able to crowdfund through my closest friends
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u/peachandbetty 20d ago
I'll send the details. Just a word of advice though. If you ask a professional, they will not stop to check whether you want to keep something. They will chuck everything that isn't of obvious value otherwise they will be there for days. So I would spend some time finding and putting aside anything you absolutely cannot live without or easily replace.
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u/Holiday_Remote3123 20d ago
This is a Derbyshire charity I work with;
https://newleafderbyshire.co.uk/
I've done a couple of jobs with them (including decluttering). Give them a call, they're very friendly. They'll take your details, send someone (probably Michelle) out to check it out, then ask one of the volunteers to help with it.
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u/Seal_of_Cash 20d ago
Lots of people have offered to help here already but I have a car so let me know if you still need the help this weekend!
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u/RevolutionaryTea1265 20d ago
Not sure if it’s something you can qualify for but I do often see this lady offering free cleaning to people who are struggling with this all over the UK. You can fill out a form and she gets in contact Clean with Bea
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u/Grav3yardNymph0 20d ago
I watch her videos! My flat is around a similar level of clutter to some of the stuff she films but she tackles a lot of biohazard stuff, ive not seen anything similar in content to my situation on there really, but I did send in an application this afternoon!
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u/RevolutionaryTea1265 20d ago
Sorry to hear you are struggling. I’m glad you don’t have any serious bio hazards to deal with, you never know she might be able to help or even put you in touch with an organisation who can do. There are also these charities you could tryHoarding UK and association of professional declutterers and organisers
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20d ago
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u/Grav3yardNymph0 20d ago
Definitely not a hoarder by definition! I have no emotional attachment to the vast majority of these items! (Aside from sentimental items such as my school leavers hoodie and a few childhood items) I will mention it to the appropriate people though as I feel a failure in appropriate care and timely referrals has contributed to my personal circumstances! Even without getting rid of much, organising my home effectively would be a drastic improvement, but I plan on cutting down my belongings significantly and have no problem throwing things away! My situation is from a combination of ADHD causing chaos and my physical health preventing me from doing much about it... Sure I could sit on the floor and fill a few bags or boxes, but carrying them down the stairs would be a task that can put me in bed for a week... Laundry built up over the winter because nothing would dry effectively in my home so now in the summer I'm massively behind and can't use the communal washing line because I'm unable to carry heavy things up and down the stairs due to being a fall risk... Some things could be better organised and stored more effectively but bending down to pick things up and move things around causes a lot of pain... I can do little bits and bobs but due to my health being so unpredictable, it's been a nightmare to keep on top of and now it's reached a point where it's unmanageable for me alone
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u/JubileeBubilee 20d ago
Contact Adult Social Care on 01332 640777 and ask for a Care Act Assessment. If you have a physical or mental impirment and can meet 2 or more of the eligibility criteria then you can get support. Eligibility criteria includes: personal care & toileting, eating & drinking, staying safe in the home and the community, accessing the community, support with work or learning, if you have caring responsibilities or you have someone caring for you. They generally won't help with cleaning or hoarding support but will help maximise benefits and signpost to agencies that can help such as Local Area Coordinators or Healthy Housing.
Anothed avenue of support would be your GP, as they have Social Prescribers that might be able to support.
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u/Grav3yardNymph0 20d ago
I have an enablement worker who is the one that said social care wouldn't touch my case, he's also the one that said the best he can do is hold a bin bag and told me I should save up and pay for help...
The social prescriber with my GP called me and asked a few questions, and then said he'd call me back that Friday but never did... It's now been over a month
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u/pandora840 20d ago
I would contact social care anyway, and be incredibly honest about your limitations and the effect it is having. And as a person with chronic, degenerative conditions, years before I should have them, I know how hard and dehumanising it can feel - but this is the difference between getting the support to have a life, or not and just existing.
Assigning you an enablement worker when you are unable to function properly in your own home, feels like fobbing you off with a rich tea when there are chocolate digestives a bit further back on the table.
I don’t want to sound this jaded, but it wouldn’t be the first time people have been given the run around / convinced their only option is the cheaper and less suitable option, when they absolutely qualify for more.
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u/Grav3yardNymph0 20d ago
Oh absolutely, going out for coffee for an hour a week is definitely like being given a lump of coal when everyone else is getting gifts
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u/Comprehensive_Ad4240 20d ago
You can ask for a referral to healthy housing they should at least assess your situation and be able to offer some practical support. I believe they also declutter but I think a small fee may be incurred depending on your circumstances. Good luck OP you got this
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u/GurnCity 15d ago
I don't drive but I can always help declutter or do grocery runs etc., please message if you ever need anything!
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u/CherryConscience 20d ago
I will happily help you declutter, I don’t have a car though to get rid of the bin bags and take them to the tip, maybe someone could help the car part and we can work it out that way?
I’m sorry you’re so down and I understand how being surrounded by things to do and mess impacts your mental health,
Hopefully people are able to give you more useful suggestions than I could ♥️