Today in Focus Sun, sea and struggle: growing up in England’s coastal towns
Aug 21, 2025
Eleanor Adamson, a 22-year-old carer from Morecambe, shares her heartfelt journey growing up in a coastal town marked by economic decline. She reveals the challenges locals face with housing and employment, along with the grip of addiction in the community. Eleanor reflects on her aspirations for the future amid struggles, emphasizing the impact of local initiatives like music programs. Her story highlights the urgent need for political action and investment to revitalize opportunities for young people in coastal towns.
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Returning To A Changed Hometown
- Helen Pidd returns to Morecambe and walks the places of her youth, describing lost venues and memories.
- She frames personal nostalgia against the town's decline and missing facilities.
Caring Job Replaces Education Plans
- Eleanor Adamson describes living in Morecambe, caring for a woman with MS and earlier time in a foyer for 16–25-year-olds.
- She explains how low pay and isolation forced her into work over further education.
Cheap Housing Concentrates Vulnerability
- Cheap housing in seaside towns attracts vulnerable families and deepens poverty-related health problems.
- Poverty compounds almost every health condition and limits social mobility.