Jigsaw specialises in helping people who collect and save items to excess. We all hold on to treasured possessions as we journey through life, but Jigsaw helps those who have reached the point where their possessions choke up their life. Items, which some could perceive as worthless, have a meaning or value to the hoarder, which can trigger anxiety at the mere thought of moving things on.
This work is hard and time consuming because Jigsaw strives to fully involve the individual in the process and uniquely involves previous hoarders in the process. Often the hoarding has become acute before Jigsaw receives a referral, usually from the local housing authority or GP. There would appear to be no limits to the amount of space a hoarder can accommodate. Three bedrooms, two downstairs rooms plus outbuildings, garden and any other available space all filled in the fullness of time. Not forgetting floor to ceiling.
Self-esteem, self worth and integrity are lost within the hoarding process and food preparation, cleaning and self-care also suffer. Isolation, victimisation and ostracization easily become involved which couple together to result in a very difficult knot to un-tangle.
Jigsaw excels at this work! It rolls up its sleeves and works with the individual to empty spaces within the home. Some people require re-homing and Jigsaw helps with decorating and cleaning as well as sourcing everyday items for life to continue. [Fridges, kettles crockery etc.] Benefit claims, debt recovery, health issues and hospital appointments can easily be overlooked and again Jigsaw helps with these issues by becoming an advocate for those who require help to present their difficulties.
Jigsaw carries out these activities throughout Bassetlaw, Mansfield and District and Newark and Sherwood, all who provide specific funding for this work. Funding is a perpetual worry. It functions on 2.5 staff linked to volunteers, which makes life extremely busy. The weekly group meetings, regular telephone calls, visits and the provision of food from our food bank provide continued support.. A unique quality of the provision is the involvement of volunteers who have experience their own issues and, although this has its challenges, it provides direct empathy and understanding of what is required to meet the needs of the individual as well as providing care and befriending.
The following photographs illustrate the level of the hoarding. Some show before and after images, whilst other describe ongoing work. Used with the permission of those involved. Progress can be quite slow when things assume a high level of importance to the owner.
