National Hoarding Awareness Week
It’s National Hoarding Awareness Week and to raise awareness, our Safeguarding Team, accompanied by The West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) held numerous stalls that allowed colleagues to learn more about hoarding and the Multi-Agency Guidance that will help support Birmingham’s most vulnerable people.
Colleagues were also able to learn about the WMFS Safe and Well checks which enable firefighters across 38 community fire stations to advise and educate on safety at home, with a particular focus on Birmingham’s most vulnerable residents.
Did you know?
- Hoarding is recognised as a mental health condition by the World Health Organisation (WHO). With up to 5% of the population being known to hoard, hoarding behaviours can have a huge impact on individuals, their families, services and communities.
- The National Safeguarding Adult Review analysis in 2024 identified that self-neglect (which includes hoarding) featured in 60% of all cases. Self-neglect is the biggest concern and continues to be the most reviewed issue.
- Self-neglect is the highest category of calls to the Trust Safeguarding Adult Team advice line.
If you require any safeguarding support or advice, including self-neglect and hoarding, please call the BCHC Safeguarding Team on 0121 466 7118, Monday – Friday, 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.