Sue (not her real name) is a Neurodivergent adult with complex physical and mental health issues who urgently needs temporary accommodation from the end of September 2023, and practical professional help and support to declutter, organise and repair her home, which has been too unsafe for her to live in for several years.

Since being given notice to vacate her current lodging accommodation, Sue's anxiety levels have sky-rocketed and her physical and mental health have deteriorated, as she:

• is extremely worried she may have have to move back to the property in its current unsafe and dilapidated state

• can't afford anywhere else to stay

• has no money to pay someone to help her declutter her home

• doesn't have money to pay for essential work to be carried out at the property, where issues include no hot water, no lighting, faulty electrics, faulty heating, overgrown garden, etc.

• has lost all hope in being supported by “the system” - ie. her local authority and NHS service - because of numerous previous bad experiences with them, despite the fact they are supposed to safeguard and protect vulnerable people like her.

Crowdfunding is the only way I can see to prevent Sue from becoming homeless, or returning to her flat where the only place she could sleep is in a small space on the floor in her hallway; the only way to find her way around at night is by torchlight, and there is a high risk that her already fragile physical and mental health will deteriorate further.

My hope is that my crowdfunding will raise enough money to pay for:

• The services of Professional Hoarding Practitioners and a man with a van who can move and transport items as required, to help Sue slowly but surely clear her home (at a pace she can cope with) so that repair work can be carried out. This could take several months, hence the high fundraising target because of temporary accommodation and storage costs. Once renovation of the flat has been completed, they'll support Sue to return home and help her with things like storage solutions that maximise the use of the space, and developing and implementing systems and routines to improve her independence.

• A local storage unit (with insurance) where her belongings can be kept while work is being carried out in her home

• Electricians, plumbers and other trades people to restore lighting and hot water, and make Sue’s home safe and secure

• Suitable local temporary accommodation where Sue can stay from September, and while the essential renovation work is being carried out. It needs to be in an area near where she lives and feels safe, and not somewhere dictated by her local authority, which is likely to be in a borough she doesn’t know and where she’s nowhere near her GP and hospitals where she receives regular essential treatments.

The donations will go directly to paying for Sue's temporary accommodation and to the professional services supporting her.

Only then will she be able to return home and live a more stable, healthier and more fulfilling life where she can hopefully:

• Access specialist trauma-informed and Neurodivergent-informed Advocacy and support services to help her manage activities of daily living

• Access specialist Neurodivergent and trauma-informed therapy and life coaching to enable her to find alternative ways to express her anxiety instead of through online shopping

• Find hope and become motivated to get her mojo back

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Unfortunately Sue is just one of MANY people who reach out to me because their physical and mental health have been affected because of hidden disabilities that affect their ability to maintain a safe and habitable home, and ability to work.

They are the ones who can least afford to pay for professional practical help and support to address issues related to clutter and disorganisation, and yet need it the most.

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If the fundraising target is exceeded, donations not used for Sue's project will be used to provide practical help and support others like Sue who have clutter-related issues because of their complex needs.