10 years old and living in poverty - channel 5 now

[PonyoLovesHam]

Is anyone watching?

Interesting viewing especially following the recent threads on MN about kids not having Xmas presents. An 8 year old girl was just shown having noodles to eat 3 days a week, telling her mum there's nothing in the fridge.

I know this happens, I've worked with families with these problems, but it's still heartbreaking. Our local food bank I donate to is shutting down because it's being seen as a long term fix (by the council) rather than a short term solution which is what the volunteers who set it up intended it to be :(

I'm finding it heartbreaking, life is so bloody unfair.

It is heartbreaking. The 8 yo especially, she is so sweet and articulate.

Heart breaking a child had to wait for her birthday present a wardrobe!

As for 7 kids living with nan and dad, his pulling the system! £132 on gas and electric a week!

I am watching, it is heart breaking but I don't understand how anyone could be living in poverty getting £500 a week? ... did i hear that right? i also thought i heard £180 a week .. thats just a little less than someone working 30 hours a week on minimum wage

I just started watching half way through so may have missed something and dont get me wrong its awful and i wish they would provide ways to donate to these families

One girl is upset about not having clothes to wear to school .. i regularly donate clothes to charity or throw them in the bin
The other mum couldn't afford a birthday present for her daughter, i have lots of unopened unused gifts

I just wish i could jump through the tv screen and share my things :(

I think its awful the girl is lamenting that they cant have nice things yet they are living in filth and squalor, the girls (and her siblings) surrounding could be improved

The £180 a week confuses me it's not a lot but it should be enough for food.

Yes mum and 2 kids living on £180 a week. But food of about £60 a week, £50 on gas and electric, I'm assuming she has internet, and she likely has to pay something towards waters ect.

The large family, living rent free with nan and dad get £500 a week

I felt so sad watching it. I wish channel 5 gave them the money to fix the roof.

I'm watching it.

its heart breaking.

however, i am somewhat as i have a cousin who is a single parent with two children on benefits. She is in council housing, receives about £235 per week and is able to save. Mind you, she has no pets, doesn't smoke, drink, have sky. Most importantly (I think), she has no debts. She does not pay her TV licence .

I think paying off debts may be a big factor in explaining part of why people on low incomes cant cope.

I didnt see the bit about how much Dad gets. Do you think they struggle because they're paying a mortgage for the flat and shop or something?

No the oldest daughters said her dad told her " if we had a mortgage to pay we would really struggle". It's in a bad state of repair though. This program has made me even more grateful for my HA house.

Nan brought the flat with her savings, they closed the shop when parents broke up.

I'd love to be able to link up with Paige's Mum I Have a daughter of a similar age and I regularly send bags to the charity shop full of the latest gear. I only recently gave away 4 prom type dresses. I'm sure I'd be able to help.

Ah, get it now. Sorry, I was in and out the room while it was on. I just saw the kids talking about clothes etc

This programme just made me cry, I have lots of clothes I can give so if anybody knows the people I would love to give the children in Lancashire. Having lots of children is stressful enough without worry about your house falling down. Can they not sell up! Could the council not help with housing them. If they are living with holes in the roof. Makes you realise how lucky some kids have it including mine.

Why carnt they use the shop to make a living even selling second hand stuff that they find, the shop and flat are all payed for . The dads a lazy twat , how can u not live on 500 pound a week rent free with a business opportunity staring you in the face . Before you all go mad I am a man and fxxxing annoyed, and if anybody knows how to get in touch with Paige and her mam I will gladly take a week off work and do all the work in there house and get them a boiler

does anyone no the 8 year old mum name would love to get in contact thank you

He isn't lazy , he is a lone parent to seven children.

i tweeted channel 5 and hope they reply!

Does anyone know if there is anywhere that we can donate clothes and goods for families like this ?? I know you can give to charity shops, but i'd like to donate directly, so the familes don't have to pay at all.

I am a single parent, and currently on benefits but not having as rough as some of these people as I have a generous family.

Soontobesix, I have four kids have worked 80hours a week and would kill for a shop, he has an opportunity staring him in the face, I'm not going to argue about it , you make the most of what you have and he has a great chance beneath his feet rent free

So you are a lone parent and paid for childcare for 80 hours a week?

Do come back and let us know if you do find a way to get back in touch with them please.

I thought poverty was like the African children and parents who are on deaths door weighing a few stone with flies buzzing round them? All I see on this show is over weight children and parents (not consistent with poverty) and huge tv's and ohh no you can't quite afford all the outfits for school, I think this show is offensive to people who are genuinely in poverty in other country's, poverty does not really exist in the uk, that dad looks like he weighs 20 stone how is that possible if your living in poverty? Like I said its offensive to people who are genuinely in poverty.

'Like I said its offensive to people who are genuinely in poverty.'

I'm sure they are all watching it and getting offended.