A Mountain of Memories: Clearing a Path for Mr. Hubert

Mr Hubert’s living room, a space meant for comfort, had become a fort of his vast collections. He slept in a chair, a reminder of the space constraints. The heart of the issue lies in the sheer volume of his belongings: decades worth of CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and audio equipment. Tools, electronics, cables, and stationery add to the dense layering of memories. Handheld gaming devices, like a PlayStation Portable and Tamagotchis, speak of bygone eras, now buried beneath the weight of accumulated years. This extended into the kitchen and bedrooms throughout the house. Prior to this bout of hospitalisation, Mr Hubert and his son Alex, who is his sole caregiver, would spend most of their time out of the home as there staying in would not be comfortable or restful for either of them.

The social worker's conditions for Mr Hubert’s return home are clear: the home must be transformed. The living room and kitchen need to be cleared and safe for wheelchair access, and space must be able to accommodate a hospital bed. The route to the bathroom should also allow for ease of movement with a wheelchair.

However, the task goes beyond mere practicality. The bedrooms hold a deeper, more emotional quest. It's a repository of Alex’s childhood memories, other furniture, and, most importantly, a lost postcard and letter from Alex’s mother. The letter potentially holds details to her current place of residence. Alex hopes that it can lead to a reconnection with her, one that he feels is long overdue. As we work with Alex in the home, volunteers tread carefully, to handle items with sensitivity and caution, with the knowledge that valuables may be hidden within seemingly ordinary boxes and pouches.

Embarking on this decluttering project is not just about clearing physical space; it's about clearing a path to safety, comfort and hope. Each item handled, each box opened, is a meaningful step towards bringing Mr Hubert home from the community hospital, and potentially, towards reuniting Alex with a lost piece of his past.

At the time of publishing, vital works in the home are still in progress, with more sessions required to complete our programme.

Your kind donations and hands-on volunteer support are vital in helping us make a tangible difference for families like Mr Hubert's through our home rehabilitation programme, Project HomeWorks. Come be part of meaningful and transformative change with us!

*Names in this story have been changed for privacy.