In a new initiative to address the complex issue of hoarding behaviours, a new peer support group called “Clear Path Support” is set to launch in our community. This innovative 10-week course, designed by a local mental health professional, aims to provide a compassionate and judgment-free environment for individuals struggling with hoarding behaviours.
Clear Path Support will focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of hoarding behaviour, for participants with or without a diagnosis, offering weekly workshops that cover topics such as building motivation, developing emotional resilience, and learning practical self-help techniques. With its person-centred approach and emphasis on peer support, this program promises to be a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their quality of life and regain control over their living spaces.
The free-to-attend group will focus on helping people move towards readiness and envision a future beyond hoarding, rather than pressuring them to declutter or stop acquiring completely. Drawing from the latest research and incorporating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills for emotional understanding, the course is designed as an early stage in a stepped care approach, offering friendly and informative sessions in a non-clinical setting.
A key function of Clear Path will be to develop peer support networks, offering participants the option to join regular online peer support sessions after the course ends. The programme aims to encourage those with lived experience to actively participate in designing and delivering the group, fostering skill development and openness to new opportunities. Each cohort will be signposted to appropriate services following the end of the programme.
The group will begin on Wednesday 20 November at Hunslet Community Hub and Library, and will run from 5:30-7pm until 22 January (with a three-week break over Christmas).
For more information, email the facilitator, Jason.ClearPath.Leeds@gmail.com
Photo: Shutterstock
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