Photographer Polly Braden Captures Resilience of Young People in Coastal Communities
The Lead
Documentary photographer Polly Braden has embarked on a year-long project to capture the lives of young people in coastal communities across England and Wales. Her work, part of The Guardian's 'Against the Tide' series, sheds light on the challenges faced by these communities, including poverty, poor housing, and limited opportunities.
Capturing the Lives of Young People in Coastal Communities
Braden's project was inspired by a landmark report on the poor health of people living on the English coast. As a single mother of teenagers, she became interested in the lives of young people growing up under austerity, during a pandemic, and in a cost-of-living crisis. Her photographs aim to tell a story about the 'island nation' and shine a spotlight on 16- to 25-year-olds who are often overlooked.
The Data Analysis
Young people in many of England's coastal towns are disproportionately likely to face:
- poverty
- poor housing
- lower educational attainment
- limited employment opportunities
compared to their peers in equivalent inland areas.
The Impact Analysis
Braden's work highlights the resilience and beauty of young people in these communities. Her photographs, such as one of Libby from Whitehaven, depict a mix of bleakness and beauty. A touring exhibition of her work is set to open at Arnolfini gallery in Bristol in June and move to Colchester's Firstsite gallery in October.
The Prediction
The 'Against the Tide' project aims to put the voices of young people at the forefront of reporting on coastal communities. By sharing their stories, the project hopes to examine what kind of changes are needed to build better futures for these young people.