Improving support for people who hoard and self-neglect

Project Background

IMPACT Facilitator, Fiona Wright, is working with Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership looking at improving support for people who hoard and self-neglect.

IMPACT’s initial evidence review shows that awareness of hoarding and self-neglect has grown. This progress is visible in statutory guidance and policy. However, there is still limited research into how effective interventions are. Moreover, the review highlights the need for further research that captures the lived experiences of people facing self-neglect and/or hoarding, through direct engagement.

Evidence Review (Word)

Meet Our Facilitator: Fiona Wright

I’m Fiona, and I work in Aberdeen City as a Development Officer for Justice Social Work. In my role, I review and develop drug and alcohol support pathways for people within the justice system. I also have experience as a practitioner in justice social work in Aberdeen, as well as in drug and alcohol services and housing support in Glasgow. In this facilitator project, hosted by Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, I aim to improve support for people who hoard and self-neglect in Aberdeen.

Why did you want to be involved with IMPACT?

I believe meaningful change must combine research evidence, practitioners’ insights, and lived experience. IMPACT places these values at its core, creating real opportunities to implement change locally and across the UK.

What are your aspirations and hopes for project?

I hope this project continues to spotlight self-neglect and hoarding.

It is essential to amplify voices across the city, co-produce ideas, and drive positive change in this area.

What do you hope to discover by the end of the project?

By the end, I hope we see the positive work happening in the city recognised and expanded. I look forward to seeing the benefits of co-production in practice and understanding the impact it has on self-neglect and hoarding support.

Project Host Organisation

Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership have a responsibility for a wide range of services across adult health and social care.
Why did you want to be involved with IMPACT?

IMPACT’s aims align well with our strategic priorities. Self-neglect and hoarding are areas we’ve identified for development. We recognise the need to work alongside our partners and people with lived experience. Therefore, this project helps us combine evidence-based practice with real-life experiences to improve outcomes for those affected.

Why do you think a centre like IMPACT is important?

IMPACT helps us understand what the evidence tells us. More importantly, it enables us to co-produce services with people who have lived experience. As a result, we can work to improve outcomes for everyone.

What are your hopes for the project?

We hope this project will:

  • Ensure we use the latest evidence to improve practices and outcomes.
  • Support our workforce to work effectively, drawing on evidence and lived experience.
  • Build a multi-agency approach to tackling self-neglect and hoarding.
  • Understand what works well and what does not in current processes.
  • Develop learning and development resources to better equip our workforce
What might be the challenges?

We are facing challenging financial circumstances. In addition, there is growing demand for social care services, which adds further pressure.