Coastal Navigators Network

Following on from the inception of the Network in the summer of 2024, to bringing together the first cross network roundtable in November of 2024, BBI is happy to share the progress to date in the establishment of the Coastal Navigators Network 

Coastal communities across the UK are facing 17.8% higher heart disease rates alongside growing economic inactivity, underscoring the urgent need for targeted, sustainable intervention. The Coastal Navigators Network (CNN)—a strategic collaboration between NHSE and six Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)—responds to these challenges by tackling the social determinants of health through scalable, high-impact solutions.

In 2024, CNN launched pilot interventions in six coastal towns, representing 12% of the nation’s most deprived coastal areas. These pilots focus on reducing drug use, preventing suicide, and increasing employment opportunities, with the ambition to cut A&E visits and boost local workforce participation. Building on early successes, CNN plans to extend these proven approaches to 54 coastal locations over the next decade, aiming for an £11 billion cumulative impact.

Key pilot projects include:

• Felixstowe: Addressing youth unemployment and drug-related challenges
• Great Yarmouth: Scaling apprenticeship initiatives
• Skegness: Investing in training and infrastructure
• Portland: Implementing scholarship programmes
• Thanet: Delivering combined employment and mental health support

Learn more about our work, the progress achieved so far, and what’s next in our Coastal Navigators Network Interim Report (Link on the right hand side of page)

READ THE FULL REPORT

To read the full report and to download a copy of the pdf please click on the link below.