Councillors are set to be briefed on efforts to help people in the borough who suffer from self-neglect and hoarding.

Cheshire West and Chester's people overview and scrutiny committee meets next week where it will be given an update on measures being taken to support people who struggled with the issue.

The NHS defines self neglect as an 'extreme lack of self-care', sometimes associated with hoarding.

According to its definition, a hoarding disorder is when someone acquires an 'excessive' number of items and stores them in a 'chaotic' manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter. The items can be of little or no monetary value.

A national shift in how hoarding is dealt with has seen it move from an environmental health issue, to one which is viewed as more complex and can involve mental health interventions.

At Cheshire West this has included the establishment of a multi-agency forum, increased case activity, and the implementation of support that addresses stigma, engagement and prevention.

Changes include creation of a Hoarders Alliance which brings together social care, housing providers, emergency services, and health practitioners to develop support plans.

The report to the committee said a further 25 cases have been referred into the alliance since last September, with several complex cases reviewed and supported through coordinated action.

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A support group named Space for Change was set up in January 2026, which runs every Monday. The report said: "The group rules have been fully co-produced by people with lived experience, following feedback that the original proposed name was stigmatising and labelling."

It said plans are in place for the group to co-locate at the Chapter community mental health charity.

It added: "This represents a clear shift towards strengths-based, trauma-informed practice."

When it meets next Tuesday the committee will decide whether it wants to keep the situation under review or undertake any deeper dives into the issue.