A New Tide of Hope for Yorkshire’s Seaside Towns

When the salt-scented wind sweeps off the North Sea, you can hear the waves whispering of opportunity. A fresh £7 million fund—dubbed the “Moving Forward” scheme—has been launched by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, aimed especially at supporting coastal and otherwise “challenging” parts of the region. Yorkshire Post+2Philanthropy News Digest+2

The fund is intended to strengthen links between people and the outdoors—boosting physical activity, mental health, and community engagement across seaside towns where access and isolation often create gaps in services. Yorkshire Post

Over two years, grants will be opened for local groups to apply, helping to bring new activities, preventative health work, and creative uses of coastline space. Yorkshire Post

Already, pilots in Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey include projects teaching water safety to young people. Yorkshire Post

For places like Whitby’s piers, Filey’s paths, or small villages tucked into coves, this fund could offer the spark to light new trails, fitness hubs by the shore, mindfulness sessions in dunes, or community-led sea‑swim clubs. Crucially, it is cast as a tool for prevention—to help people stay well, connected, and active before crisis strikes. Yorkshire Post

As the fund begins to flow, I imagine children splashing under safe supervision, older folk finding strolling routes by the waves, and artistic pop-up events bringing life to empty foreshore spaces. The coast is not just a backdrop — it may become the very foundation for renewed well‑being in our towns. Let the sea breeze carry promise.

And now, turning a little lighter…
“History may be solemn, but Yorkshire has a knack for keeping life entertaining.”

Which Yorkshire coastal town is famed for hosting a possibly haunted 1990s ghost walk down its narrow alleys and harbour walls?

Answer at the bottom!

“While you think on that, let’s talk about looking after yourself.”

Shoreline Self‑Care

With fresh funding comes fresh opportunity—but small towns and coastal communities often face real obstacles. Here are five practical tips to boost wellbeing by the sea:

1. Walk the shore daily (or as often as you can).
   The rhythmic sound of waves and the feel of sand underfoot are a gentle reset for body and mind.

1. Join or start a “sea‑swim or paddle group.”
   Even very modest group dips or paddle sessions can build connection and mental resilience.

1. Use grant funding to bring movement to low‑access places.
   Council halls, clifftop land, unused promenades—turn them into dance, yoga, tai chi, or walking circuits.

1. Create “quiet zones” near dunes or cliffs for mindfulness.
   A bench, a boardwalk, a sheltered spot—little pockets of peace matter.

1. Tap into the fund’s prevention ethos from the start.
   If your community or club is eligible, apply early for seed or pilot projects before larger crises emerge.

If you want help drafting a bid or identifying local partners, I’d be happy to assist behind the scenes.

As the light of dawn breaks through the darkness, may you find strength in embracing your vulnerabilities and channeling them into sources of growth and resilience. Let each challenge you face be a stepping stone towards your own greatness, and may your journey be marked by courage, compassion, and wisdom. Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can create ripples that reach far and wide, leaving a lasting impact on those around you. Embrace the power within you and let it guide you to a brighter tomorrow.

“I’ll leave you with this thought before the week carries you off.”
Even as cliffs crumble, communities can build. Where sea meets land, hearts may also connect.

That ghost‑walk town is Whitby, with its haunted harbour and alleys regularly toured by local storytellers.