Thousands of children face growing up in poverty across Kirklees – with some parents having to go without food to ensure their youngsters are fed.
As many as 10,000 children live in the borough’s poorest areas, and charity bosses say families are increasingly seeking support.
Last week the Government published the latest deprivation index, showing the most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
Exclusive analysis by the Examiner found that 10,037 children aged up to 14 were living in the most deprived neighbourhoods in Kirklees in 2013.
You can check here just how deprived the Government thinks your area is - just enter your postcode below.
And research also suggests there will be more than 6,600 children growing up in the most deprived parts of Calderdale.
Karen Selley, manager of the Welcome Centre, a Huddersfield charity which provides food and other essentials to families in crisis, said: “We are seeing more people, which is a big concern.
“We are seeing more families with children, for a number of reasons, including unemployment, debt, changes to welfare reforms and delays in benefit payments.
“When people come here it is often the parents who haven’t eaten, as they have been trying to put food on the table for the children.”
Ms Selley has been at the centre for eight years and said demand has increased. About 200 food packs, containing fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, are handed out each week.
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“Last week we gave out 210 packs, and each contains enough food for a week. Often the people we see can be without money for a number of weeks or months.”
The Yorkshire Children’s Centre, based in Huddersfield, works with vulnerable children, young people and families.
Chief executive Simon Cale said two thirds of the children living in poverty in Kirklees are in single parent households.
“There are pockets of deprivation within Kirklees, in Dewsbury and also in Huddersfield.
“People have choices to make within the household as to what they spend their money on. The kids having food on the table is the most important thing and sometimes it can lead to the adults having to make a decision.
“There needs to be more focus on supporting individuals to do better in their lives and to make the most of opportunities.”
What is the Deprivation Index?
The deprivation index breaks the country down into more than 30,000 small areas of about 1,000 to 3,000 people each.
It scores areas on factors like income, health, crime and the environment, to give an overall score of how deprived they are.
Three of Kirklees’ most deprived areas are in Dewsbury, while two are in Huddersfield.
| Most deprived areas in Kirklees | ||
| Name | Description | Overall Rank (out of 32,844) |
| Kirklees 019C | Around Beckett Lane, Burgh Mill Lane in Dewsbury | 672 |
| Kirklees 029A | Around Alder Street, Abbey Road and Red Doles Road in Hillhouse | 738 |
| Kirklees 019A | Around Crow Nest Park in West Town, Dewsbury | 1,066 |
| Kirklees 029C | Around Old Farmhouse Lane and Leeds Road in Fartown, Huddersfield | 1,099 |
| Kirklees 017B | Around Dewsbury Station and Dewsbury Town Hall | 1,227 |
| Least deprived areas in Kirklees | ||
| Kirklees 050C | Around Marten Drive and Osprey Drive in Netherton | 31,506 |
| Kirklees 020A | Around Blake Hall Road and Church Lane in Mirfield | 31,264 |
| Kirklees 046D | Around Station Road, Clough Way and Rowley Hill in Fenay Bridge | 31,143 |
| Kirklees 051C | West Kirkburton | 30,887 |
| Kirklees 056B | Around Penistone Road and Park Avenue in Shelley | 30,827 |
The two towns have one area each in the 1,000 most deprived in England. The Beckett Lane and Burgh Mill Lane area of Dewsbury Moor was the most deprived in Kirklees and ranked 672nd worst in the country. The Alder Street, Abbey Road and Red Doles Road area in Hillhouse was the worst in Huddersfield and was 738th worst in England.
Are you a parent who's missing meals to ensure their children are fed? You can email us on editorial@examiner.co.uk with your story.
