Category: Programme

Stronger Shores are extremely proud to share some insights into our engagement numbers over the course of the project so far.

Since its launch, the Stronger Shores project has delivered over 270 engagement sessions, connecting with a wide range of audiences — from grassroots community groups to national policymakers, businesses, and researchers. These efforts have sparked more than 3,000 conversations using bespoke educational resources designed to make marine science accessible and engaging for all ages.

The project has reached over 4,000 people through presentations at national conferences like ReMeMaRe and Flood and Coast, as well as local events within North East coastal communities. These sessions have helped raise awareness about the value of marine habitats and the role of nature-based solutions in tackling climate change.

A key highlight has been the project’s work with young people. More than 2,700 students have taken part in classroom and outdoor learning sessions, including hands-on oyster monitoring at Roker Marina. One young participant from Creative Youth Opportunities shared, “Today has been my favourite day of the year so far.”

We have also celebrated the success of the Stronger Shores Community Grants Scheme, which awarded nearly £56,000 to 13 local groups. Projects included creative workshops, intergenerational storytelling, and even a touring puppet show exploring coastal erosion — all designed to deepen public understanding of marine environments.

Emily Ross, Project Delivery Officer, reflected on the journey so far:

“Engagement isn’t just an add-on — it’s a fundamental part of what makes Stronger Shores impactful. These conversations, experiences, and partnerships are what will carry the project’s message forward long after delivery ends.”

Stronger Shores works in collaboration with six delivery partners: South Tyneside Council, North Sea Wildlife Trusts, Wild Oysters Project, Tees Rivers Trust, Newcastle University, and the University of Plymouth. In partnership, we are hoping to create a meaningful legacy for the project and highlight how we can work with nature to protect our coastlines.

Stronger Shores is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme which is managed by the Environment Agency to develop and test new approaches to help communities become more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change.

The Stronger Shores Annual Conference 2025 brought together a vibrant mix of coastal professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore how innovation and collaboration are shaping the future of coastal resilience. The second Stronger Shores Annual Conference was held at the Sea Hotel in South Shields on 29th April 2025.

Held under the theme “Coastal Innovation: Bridging the Gap from Data to Delivery,” the conference showcased how new research, collaboration and real-world action can come together to protect and enhance our coastal environments. From nature-based solutions to community-led initiatives, the event highlighted the power of partnership in tackling the challenges facing our shores.

Wildlife and environment champion, Trai Anfield returned to facilitate the day. Attendees heard from a range of incredible speakers including Stronger Shores Delivery Partners, and an expert Panel within the Flood and Coastal Management sector.

The afternoon covered interactive roundtables, and encouraged discussion on how to turn monitoring data, engagement work and research into meaningful, on-the-ground impacts. The atmosphere was one of energy, optimism, and shared purpose.

This year’s conference was about more than sharing knowledge — it was about building momentum, strengthening relationships, and inspiring action. We hope discussions held at the conference will help futureproof the work of the project and help lay foundations for the future of flood and coastal resilience.

With overwhelmingly positive feedback and a renewed sense of purpose, the Stronger Shores team will be continuing to lead the way in coastal innovation, with nature and communities at the heart of everything they do.

We are hoping to repeat the Conference on a yearly basis until the project ends in 2027, with next year’s focus hoping to shape the legacy of Stronger Shores.

We would like to thank everyone who attended, presented, facilitated and contributed to this year’s conference and made it a success – together we can provide learning to help secure a future for our coasts, communities and their management.

Find the full Stronger Shores Conference Report from the day below:

Stronger Shores is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme which is managed by the Environment Agency to develop and test new approaches to help communities become more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change.

The Stronger Shores project was recognised at the 2025 Flood and Coast Excellence Awards in early June, taking home the Working with Nature Award.

Our project focuses on enhancing coastal resilience through nature-based solutions, and was also highly commended in the Community Action category, highlighting our strong engagement with local communities.

In addition, Emily Ross, Project Delivery Officer, received a Highly Commended mention in the Early Career Professional Award, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to early career professionals in flood and coastal risk management sector.

The team paid tribute to former Delivery Manager Karen Daglish, whose leadership during the delivery phase was instrumental to the project’s success.

The awards celebrate innovation and excellence in flood and coastal risk management across the UK. Stronger Shores’ recognition underscores the growing importance of working with natural systems to protect and enhance coastal environments.

We are thrilled to receive recognition for our passion, hard work and collaboration as the Stronger Shores Team and thank all of our wonderful delivery partners:

• South Tyneside Council
• Newcastle University
• University of Plymouth
• The Wild Oysters Project
• Tees Rivers Trust
• North Sea Wildlife Trust

Congratulations to all of our colleagues in the sector who were also shortlisted or winners. We did the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme proud.

Stronger Shores is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme which is managed by the Environment Agency to develop and test new approaches to help communities become more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change.

In early February 2025, the whole Stronger Shores team and our Delivery Partners met with the help of The Blooming Platypus to discuss the Stronger Shores Toolkit – the key proposed output of the project which is due to end in 2027.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁
The toolkit will hope to gather data and evidence, lessons learnt, case studies, and key recommendations for decision-makers and investors interested in marine nature-based solutions for coastal risk management.

This toolkit will become Stronger Shores’ legacy and help make the case for future funding. It will also enable others to replicate these nature-based solutions to tackle coastal erosion and other climate change impacts on coastlines across the globe.

The toolkit workshop facilitated by The Blooming Platypus brought our amazing partners together to share ideas, fine tune the priorities for the toolkit and embed all of this into the legacy of the project – The Blooming Platypus are working on a report to capture all of the expertise and suggestions in the room.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed, and a huge thank you to The Blooming Platypus for their hard work and facilitation

Stronger Shores is funded by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. The project is hosted by South Tyneside Council.

North Sea Wildlife Trusts and Environmental champion and film maker, Trai Anfield from have been working on an interactive StoryMap on ArcGIS which charts the project’s progress through imagery and video. You can also view this on our website by visiting our Resources page.

Videos featuring the work our partners are doing will be uploaded regularly including ‘The Oysters Journey’ which shows some incredible footage of the Wild Oysters Project in action. See below a time lapse of oysters filtering and cleaning dirty water in real time provides a great visual of the benefits of oysters.

The story map also features footage from Trai Anfield of the oyster nursery at Roker Marina. We also hear from our Delivery Partners – The Wild Oysters Project about how the oysters are collected and cleaned, and placed in the nurseries for monthly monitoring.

The story map will be regularly updated with videos and content about what Stronger Shores is doing so be sure to follow us along on our exciting journey!

Stronger Shores has launched two online curriculum-based toolkits for teachers of Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils. Available from Monday 6^th January 2025, the education packs consist of lesson plans based around four key areas of climate change, coastal erosion, coastal defences and careers.

The online educational resources are designed with currciulum links throughout, drawing predominately upon science and geography, for Key Stage 2 ( Years 3-6) and Key Stage 3  (Years 7-9).

The education packs include four videos for pupils focusing on different parts of the Stronger Shores project – climate change, coastal erosion, coastal defences and careers. There are four videos in total and each video features two workshops, one aimed at Key Stage 2 and one aimed at Key Stage 3. The videos are shot in key locations along the North East coastline, from Northumberland to Tyne & Wear and the Tees Valley.

Lesson plans for each content area include Powerpoint presentations, quizes and activities which can be carried out in the classroom with low cost materials, as well as tips on how pupils and schools can make a difference to our coastal communities.

The launch of the online learning resource packs follow on from in person sessions delivered by Stronger Shores with practical experiments – such as making kelp slime, surveying a representation of a rocky shore in class or playing a food web game.

Blair Watson, Stronger Shores Marine Engagement Officer, said: “We’re delighted to launch these education packs aimed at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils looking into the very real issues of climate change, coastal erosion, nature-based coastal defences and careers.

“The brilliant thing about these online resources is that the lesson plans, videos and other easily accessible materials can be picked up and used by teachers at a time that suits them and their students best. We’re proud to share the Stronger Shores education packs with schools and education networks as part of our engagement strategy and we hope the pupils find the activities and videos fun, informative and engaging.”

To find out more and download the learning resources visit https://www.durhamwt.com/learning-and-education-packs Email Blair Watson on bwatson@durhamwt.co.uk or call 07415626522.