I hoarded so many items people called me 'Skip Man' and I was scared to walk around my house

Release time：2024-05-22 11:30:42 Source：International Insights news portal

A reformed hoarder once had so many possessions he was barely able to move in his home - and said he could never walk past a skip without taking something with him.

Paul Salt, 64, from Woking, Surrey, admitted how what started as a love for upcycling turned into an obsession that wrecked his life-until a council officer cleared the clutter and brought his 'glow' back.

The retired school caretaker-who was nicknamed 'Skip Man' for never being able to walk past a skip -said living alone allowed his collection to get out of control.

He said: 'I kept thinking ''I will keep that'' or ''that bit might come in handy'' and when I started living on my own, I started putting stuff everywhere.

'It didn't matter where it was because there was nobody nagging me about getting rid of anything.

Paul Salt, 64, from Woking, Surrey, once had so much stuff he was barely able to move in his home - and said he could never walk past a skip without taking something with him

'One night when I was going to bed, I didn't have much room to get there - which I was used to - and I took a bit of a tumble. I started getting a bit scared.'

Frightened and desperate for a change Paul contacted his local council for help and an officer was sent to his house to help him clear the clutter.

He said the process started around February last year and was finally cleared in June after doing two hours of work a week.

He added: 'It had a big impact on my life. I was out more than I was in. I had all this stuff around me, and I was starting to get scared so I contacted the council asking if there was anybody that might be able to help.'

Since the big clear-out Paul's quality of life has greatly improved, and he was finally able to get some pride in his home back-inviting round guests who couldn't believe their eyes.

He says that although the clearing process has allowed him to stay at home more, he is not glued to the sofa, and loves taking photos along the canal.

Paul credits his new life to Spelthorne council worker Lee Jolliffe, who came to help him clear the mess.

The retired school caretaker-who was nicknamed 'Skip Man' for never being able to walk past a skip -said living alone allowed his collection to get out of control (pictured: Paul's guest room before it was cleaned)

Frightened and desperate for a change Paul contacted his local council for help and an officer was sent to his house to help him clear the clutter (pictured: Paul's guest room after it was cleaned)

One night when he was trying to go to bed, he took a bit of a tumble over the clutter and that's when he started 'getting a bit scared' (pictured: Paul's bedroom before it was cleaned)

He said the process started around February last year and was finally cleared in June after doing two hours of work a week (pictured: Paul's bedroom after it was cleaned)

Paul said: 'It has definitely improved my quality of life. I can now get more involved doing other bits.

'I would highly recommend Lee for what he has done for me. He made you feel comfortable and never pushed me to do anything. He actually spoke to me like a human being. It made it a little bit easier.

'Don't give up on yourself. Always try and talk to other people who have been through the same problem.'

Mr Jolliffe has worked for the council for years, with plenty of experience with people who have mental health issues, which he believes helped prepare him for his role as a dedicated hoarding and de-cluttering officer.

He says that after talking with Paul about his hoarding struggles, the pair worked through the house room by room starting with the bedroom.

The officer, who resides over both Spelthorne and Woking, said: 'It is a very rewarding job. Everywhere you go the client is at a crisis point and there is a lot you can put in place to make their lives better.

'Paul's house was a level six or seven on the hoarding scale, so quite high-level hoarding.

Since the big clear-out Paul's quality of life has greatly improved, and he was finally able to get some pride in his home back-inviting round guests who couldn't believe their eyes

'He didn't want to get rid of anything particularly, but he was very happy to donate things.

'He really engaged with it because he could see that he was helping other people. He wants to help people that are in his situation too.'

Paul has now been given that opportunity to help others, stating that another hoarder has already reached out to him for advice.

Mr Jolliffe encourages other hoarders who are struggling to reach out to the council, so that their lives can be changed as Paul's was.

He concluded: 'Paul himself is a changed man. He really is glowing now compared to before where he was a little bit down.

'Now he is having people over where he wasn't before, he has integrated with some local community groups, and he actually really feels like he has turned his life around.

'It proves that the service does work and there is a lot of people out there that need the help but don't know where to go.'

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