Community

The British obsession with possessions

Published

8 years ago

April 28, 2016

A NEW survey has revealed that British people just love to hoard possessions, struggling to let go of items even when they know that they don’t need them and will never use them again.

The survey was conducted by insurance specialist RIAS to mark the start of National Spring Clean Week which kicks off today (Apr 14).

Results from the survey identified that 79% of people have at least one space in their home full of items that they’re fully aware they will never need again.

For 31% of people, that space is a drawer, 28% it is a cupboard and for a shocking 19%, that space is an entire room.

An astounding one in 10 people admitted that they had never had a clear-out of items they do not use or want any longer, but the majority of people, 64%, admitted to having a clearing once a year at most.

Yet, 79% of everyone questioned acknowledged that they were fully aware that they were holding onto items they no longer need, want or use purely for sentimental reasons.

The research also found that when moving home, which is a key opportunity to remove clutter and reappraise current belongings, many people decided to just take their ‘junk’ with them.

In fact, a whopping 55% of people who moved home in the last five years stated that they didn’t clear out any of their possessions when they moved. Once settled into their new home, 79% of people said they realised they had kept items that they shouldn’t have.

Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Forrester said: “People seem to struggle to let go of material things, often citing emotional attachment or sentimental reasons for holding onto unnecessary items.

“It seems to be a subconscious decision to simply hold onto things even though it’s known there’s no need to use for them anymore. Items are kept out of sight and never used, but hold comfort simply in the knowledge that they are there.

“For many people this ‘comfort’ extends from a kitchen drawer to occupying an entire room.”

To put these survey results to the test, RIAS put blogger Louise Parker in touch with Dr Forrester to help her take a less emotional view of possessions she no longer needed or wanted.

Having recently moved home, Louise was not one of the 55% of people who held onto everything through the move, instead opting to clear out a large portion of her unwanted items. However, she realised that she was still clinging onto a lot of her clothing, toiletries and other beauty items unnecessarily.

Louise said: “I was a little nervous about de-cluttering with Liz if I’m honest! I like to think I’m quite a streamlined person, so I really thought that there wouldn’t be anything that I would deem as clutter. However, my wardrobe and drawers that were bursting at the seams were telling a different story, so something really needed to be done!

“Liz’s approach was very simple. After putting all my clothes from my wardrobes and drawers, and secret suitcases filled with further clothes, on the bed, it was as easy as picking up each item one by one and really assessing whether I wanted it or needed it.

“Asking myself whether I actually wore it or if it was too similar to lots of my other clothes was a particularly handy approach. I found that I hadn’t really thought about many of the items of clothes for quite a while, just because I rarely saw them in my packed wardrobe!

“My drawers full of bottles, make-up and skincare were an area that really needed addressing. It was amazing the great feeling I got when I found something in amongst the clutter that I forgot I had.

“It was also really great to rid myself of the little sample sachets and bottles from magazines and make-up counters. Physically seeing the piles of stuff that I was happy to get rid of was quite a shock and that image will really stay with me when I next go into Boots!

“Another thing Liz taught me was to contemplate the amount of things I bring into the house every day, and whether I clear the same amount out. Now when I do choose to buy something new, I’ll be thinking about what I could get rid of to balance it out.”

Dr Forrester said: “Louise made some interesting comments about some of the items she’d struggled to discard. This applied to quite a few cosmetic items which had lain unused and unloved in the drawer

“Attempts to avoid unpleasant, negative feelings is a key reason for not tackling clutter. When Louise came face-to-face with these items, it reminded her of money she had spent on them, so getting rid of them felt wasteful, and led to further feelings of guilt.

“A self-confessed lover of shopping, I asked her about the feeling she experienced when she bought the items. When we shop, we see items that we desire and it often seems as if we will never get over that intense feeling of longing we experience.

In fact, that feeling has too often fizzled out before we’ve even set foot through the door and the item loses its magic. In a similar way, we may fear that the negative thoughts and emotions we get when contemplating getting rid of some unworn or unused purchases won’t go away either.

“By clearing out a significant amount of clutter, such as half-used tubes and bottles, and taking a novel approach to discarding her unwanted purchases, such as passing them onto friends and colleagues or a donation to a favourite charity, Louise had a very different experience.

“She found that, rather than being left with uncomfortable feelings, she got the same familiar buzz she would get when acquiring something new. What’s more, delighting friends with a nearly-new bargain, and being able to give some cash to a good cause, will give her some additional ‘feel good’ experiences.

“So, by having a good clear-out, it is possible to fall in love all over again with some things that have been languishing in the back of cupboards.”

Community

Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.

The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.

The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.

Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”

Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”

Community

Castle tearoom serves up new sensory-friendly sessions

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW sensory-friendly sessions at a popular castle tearoom will enable visitors with additional needs to enjoy a welcoming and accommodating environment tailored to their specific requirements.

As part of an initiative to boost engagement with a more diverse audience, Carew Castle, which is run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, will be running a new Quiet Hour and Power Hour at Nest Tearoom on the second Monday of each month.

The Quiet Hour, designed to provide a safe space for anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed when out in public, will take place between 9am and 10am, before the Castle opens. Bright lighting and noise will be kept to a minimum and visitors will be able to enjoy quieter activities in a relaxing environment.

The Power Hour is scheduled for 4.30pm to 5.30pm and offers an energetic and engaging session, tailored to promote physical movement and social engagement. The aim is to create an opportunity for individuals who thrive in more active settings to connect with others, without concern for excessive noise or social interaction.

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new sensory-friendly sessions at Carew Castle, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

“The Quiet Hour and Power Hour sessions aim to cater to the specific needs of our visitors, providing them with an environment where they can truly be themselves. As well as being able to use the café facilities, visitors will be able to explore the Castle garden. For those who wish to explore the Castle, entry is free with a Carers Card. Otherwise, normal entry fees apply.”

The Castle, which was named Pembrokeshire Visitor Attraction of the Year in last year’s Croeso Awards isn’t the only Park Authority-run site to adapt the visitor experience to accommodate more diverse audiences. A Sunday morning Quiet Hour was introduced at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in 2019 to encourage people who would not otherwise have visited the site to come along and discover more about the lives of their ancient ancestors.

To learn more about the sensory-friendly sessions and to plan your visit, please contact Carew Castle directly on 01646 651782 or visit www.carewcastle.com. Further information about Castell Henllys’ Quiet Hour can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/castell-henllys/about-castell-henllys/accessibility-2/.

Community

Four-day community engagement at Haverfordwest Castle Square

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THOMAS Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillor for Castle Ward, says he was delighted to participate in the opening of the “Sharing The Square” event. The four-day programme, running from April 24 to 27 at Haverfordwest Castle Square, invites the community to exchange memories and ideas for the future development of this historic area.

The initiative, in collaboration with local artists and Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to collect community input on potential improvements and address existing challenges in the square. The event also seeks to enhance the connectivity with the adjacent Haverfordwest Castle, focusing on pedestrian routes from the square to the castle.

A variety of public activities are scheduled to take place during the event. These include gardening, creative workshops, games, and musical performances, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Among the highlights is an art workshop led by renowned artist Janetka Platun. Her session titled “What is Lost and What is Found?” offers participants of all ages and abilities the chance to develop model-making skills. Each attendee will create a small model housed in an acrylic box, using diverse and intriguing materials.

Local community groups have been invited to reserve a slot for this free workshop, which is available on the afternoons of 24th, 25th, and the morning and afternoon of 27th April. The project aims to provide a platform for residents to reflect on their personal connections to the square and envision its future.

Further details on the ongoing and future activities can be found on the project’s official website at www.sharingthesquare.org, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram account @sharingthesquare.

The event has already attracted attention with various stakeholders, including Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, Danielle Thomas-Turner, and Guy Norman from Spacetocreate, contributing to the discussions and activities.

Photos from today’s activities can be viewed at The Edge Youth Centre’s social media, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation in shaping the future of Haverfordwest Castle Square.