When a Croydon mum could not find space on her bed to sleep she knew something was wrong.

Lauren* realised she was a hoarder after seeing an article about a scheme to help people with the condition.

The 36-year-old says things had been getting progressively worse for about three years.

She was one of the seven people to take part in Breakthrough Hoarding, which is jointly run by Croydon Council and MIND, the mental health charity.

It was the second time the programme has run in the borough and sees people meet for six weekly sessions as well as being assigned a ‘buddy’ who visits their home.

Lauren said: “I had realised that I had a hoarding problem last year because I couldn’t put anything away – I kept trying to tidy up but I couldn’t do it I realised it was because I had so much stuff.

“I realised I was a bloody hoarder and I needed help, I started by telling my family.”

After a family member sent her an article about Breakthrough Hoarding Lauren decided she would give it a go.

“Even getting to Mind was a massive deal for me I was absolutely terrified,” she said.

“They sent round a guy from the council to do a risk assessment. Knowing that I was having somebody to come into my house was so stressful.

“Even though I knew they were coming and expecting a mess it was still hard. I found it so embarrassing and I was so ashamed.”

She said she had not been sleeping in her bedroom as her bed was piled high with stuff.

“I would avoid anybody coming to my house at all costs i has been disastrous for the past three years it really got progressively worse,” said Lauren.

“It affects my life the things you take for granted like people dropping round for coffee.”

She was also inspired to get help so her three boys, aged seven, nine and 11, could invite friends over.

Her oldest son started secondary school in September and she wanted him to be able to have his own bedroom instead of sharing with his brothers.

“My eldest son was starting secondary school- I thought he should be able to come home and bring a friend with him.he is getting to the age where they starting to realise his house is different to everyone else’s,” Lauren said.

“They are just so happy and their friends have been asking for years to come over.

“The kids were so proud, one of them said this is my house isn’t it lovely.

“I was so pleased with myself it just makes everything worthwhile that was really  my goal.”

As part of the course Lauren was matched up a with a buddy, a trained counsellor, who provided practical and emotional help.

In the classes the participants were taught that hoarding is about acquiring things as much as it is about getting rid of things.

They were asked to experiment throwing away items and asked how they thought it would make them feel – A week later they would asses how they really did feel.

“It was always the case that we just felt great getting rid of it,” said Lauren.

Lauren thinks she has always had a tendency towards hoarding as her mum suffers from the condition too.

“I always known my mum was a hoarder so I was shocked it had happened to me too.

“Since the course I think I have definitely changed my acquiring habits.

“Before I would go and buy a bit of junk to make me feel better but now I think it is not going to make me feel better, I have really reigned it in.

“I feel that the sooner people realise and accept they have got a problem that is when they can start sorting it out. The more awareness there is the more people will realise.

“I feel bad I have been living in a pile of junk for three years and being so unhappy at home I wish I had worked it out sooner.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else to be miserable in their homes thinking I can’t do this.”

Since taking part in the course Lauren has managed to start throwing away some of her things and even thinks she will be able to friends and family round at Christmas.

Councillor Jane Avis, cabinet member for families, health and social care at Croydon Council, said: “Hoarding used to be viewed as merely a housing problem, but it affects people in many ways from their mental health to holding down a job they enjoy.

“Since the council and local experts at Mind launched our first joint project to support hoarders last year, we’ve now helped 13 people through two courses combining group work with individual counselling that boost their confidence and independence, and we intend to do more courses in future.”

For more information about the course and how to get help with hoarding call MIND on 020 8763 2064.

*Lauren’s name was changed to protect her identity.