Centre for Coastal Communities launch explores challenges and opportunities

A special event held to mark the launch of the Centre for Coastal Communities investigated the challenges coastal communities face and the opportunities they offer.

The event gave those attending an overview of the scope of the Centre for Coastal Communities and the focus of its work.

Rapid Research presentations were given by Centre Director Dr Emily Murray on coastal excess in the youth mental health crisis; Alix Power-Mason on understanding the mental health needs of England’s coastal communities; Professor Anuj Kapilashrami on social determinants of mental health; Professor Reza Majdzadeh on inequality for stroke care; and Dr Kostis Roussos on community supermarkets and food security: the case of the Brooklands Store in Jaywick.

Dr Murray said: "I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend the launch of the Centre for Coastal Communities. The launch event was an opportunity to reach out to those present to join in partnership to find significant and impactful solutions that coastal communities want and need. Whether it’s sharing our expertise, co-designing a research project, evaluating a project already underway or joining together to influence policy, let’s do it together."

Coastal communities have some of the worst health and wellbeing outcomes in England, with a higher burden of disease, across a wide range of physical and mental health conditions (CMO Annual Report 2021).

In these communities there are also higher levels of unemployment, lower levels of educational attainment and an ageing population. There is a complex link between health, the environment and the economy and an urgent need to improve the life chances within these coastal communities.

As the founding Director of the Centre, Dr Murray is speaking with partners and people living in the communities themselves to understand their experiences, priorities and needs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster said: "We launched the Centre to meet the ambitious education and research agenda being set around coastal communities. I am so grateful to Professor David O’Mahony for driving this project forward from its inception in partnership with our colleagues in Tendring District Council, Essex County Council and our wider network including our NHS and public health partners.

"Dr Murray has now taken this forward by building further links with Tendring on the back of its ambitious Levelling Up programme, while also developing connections within our research community at Essex and the wider national and international network of researchers, government agencies and charities.

"Its our 60th anniversary and we’ve built an incredible international reputation over the past 60 years but we remain a University committed to improving lives within the communities we are based and serve. This Centre is at the heart of this work."

To contact the Centre or sign-up to its newsletter email: coastal@essex.ac.uk