A stark reality is unfolding for young people growing up by the sea. Decades of underinvestment and a sense of isolation have left many feeling overlooked or stereotyped. Our year-long investigation in 17 coastal towns across England and Wales has highlighted the struggles faced by these communities.
The picture is bleak: youth services in England have seen a 73% cut in funding over the past 12 years, while nearly one million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in work, education, or training. Many of these young people live in some of the UK's most deprived areas, with nine out of ten of England's most deprived neighbourhoods being coastal – including seven in Blackpool and one each in Hastings and Tendring.
Youth voices have been clear: they want to be taken seriously by policymakers. Ben Cooper, author of a Fabian Society report four years ago, urged parties to demonstrate genuine commitment to the success of coastal residents. Without visible engagement that addresses feelings of disconnect, good policy alone is insufficient.
In an effort to bridge this gap, our project facilitated workshops where young people created visual representations of their towns as postcards, fostering a unique coastal network. Some artworks are part of the 'Against the Tide' touring exhibition at Bristol's Arnolfini gallery, while others will be displayed at Blackpool North train station for the next decade.
The parliamentary session chaired by Polly Billington was praised as a vital step in combating isolation. Ms Billington emphasised the radical potential of bringing people together to recognise their shared experiences. The Coastal Navigators Network has committed to establishing a 'Young People on the Coast' network, building on an idea proposed by Courtney from Felixstowe – a tangible move towards inclusivity.