The Guardian's year-long series 'Against the tide' concluded last week, leaving a significant mark on both participants and policymakers. The project, which explored the lives of young people in 17 coastal towns across England and Wales, resulted in parliamentary testimony, concrete council actions, and a transformative experience for all involved.
Groundwork and Relationships
Journalist Lisa Bachelor and documentary photographer Polly Braden spent 12 months building trust with 16- to 25-year-olds, a process that required extensive groundwork. 'You very rarely have the resources and time to be able to have that back and forth over a year and form ongoing relationships with people,' Bachelor said. This approach allowed them to 'live their experiences with them rather than just come in and tell their stories,' Braden added.
The series was sparked by research showing disproportionately high rates of undiagnosed mental health conditions among young people in coastal areas. By prioritizing the voices of these youth, the team aimed to explain the realities and potential solutions.
Challenging Stereotypes
Coastal towns dominate UK deprivation statistics, with young people facing poor educational attainment and seasonal employment challenges. The team consulted youth early on, addressing their frustration with being labeled as deprived. 'They would tell us how it was really annoying to be told that they were from the most deprived place again and again,' Braden said. The resulting stories highlighted hopefulness, resilience, and creativity, directly countering negative media portrayals.
Parliament and Policy Impact
The series' ripple effects were substantial. In May, 16 young people traveled to parliament to give evidence to MPs, a milestone for many who had never traveled far. 'One of the things we kept hearing was that young people and communities on the coast have much more in common with each other than they probably do with those in equivalent inland towns,' Bachelor noted. The testimony spurred local councils to act, and the project also led to an exhibition at Bristol's Arnolfini gallery, moving to Colchester's Firstsite in October.
A Lancashire rail organization plans to display series material on posters along a coastal line, and Blackpool North train station will feature youth-created artwork for the next decade.
Transformative Effects
The project proved transformative for the team as well. 'I can't express just how much collaboration there has been every step of the way on this project,' Braden said. Bachelor, who grew up in Hull, recognized her own past in the young people's stories about how their towns are depicted. 'I hadn't realised when I started this series how much I would recognise my past self in a lot of the things the young people were talking about,' she said.
