2 children engaging in an educational coastal activity known as rock pooling. The gil has a yellow bucket next to her.

Our connection to the sea

Explore the diverse views and values of local people in coastal communities and their connection to the ocean.

Marine Values films

We worked with communities in Shetland, Portsmouth and the catchment of the River Severn to capture local stories of value and connection. This was part of a large UK Research and Innovation project led by the Universities of Portsmouth and Greenwich.

Drawing on our experience using the Community Voice Method, we made 3 films which were screened at local community workshops to engage the wider community in conversations about the future of their coast and sea.

Shetland

Portsmouth

Chepstow and River Wye

The Sea & Me films

We created three short films, filmed by filmmaker Dominic Joyce, and supported by players of Postcode Lottery. The films follow three individuals as they explore the different experiences which led them to a deep connection to our blue planet: surfing, diving and beach cleaning.

Vaishali

Vaishali is one of our Sea Champion volunteers. In her film, Vaishalli speaks of her connection to the ocean which she found through beach cleaning.

As a dedicated beach cleaner, Vaishali sees firsthand the impact of pollution on marine life; she speaks in the film of spotting a seabird tangled in fishing wire on the first beach clean she attended. “We don’t think our actions can have major consequences”, she says. But everyone can make a difference: “It’s really important for us to change things now, and we can.”

Georgie

Georgie volunteers with us and for Seasearch. In her film, Georgie takes you underwater to see some of the wonders of UK seas and the unfortunate reality of human impact.

As a photographer, Georgie’s goal is to capture the UK’s seas in a way that inspires and motivates others, and builds a connection between people and the sea.

Whether on a small or large scale, Georgie’s film highlights the issue of marine pollution, from fishing nets to microplastics, and how it’s become part of experiencing the ocean. But the film is full of hope and inspiration, as Georgie says, “there is a lot we can do as individuals”.

Charlotte

Charlotte, who has autism, mild cerebral palsy and bipolar disorder, is now a competitive parasurfer and volunteer for the Wave Project.

In the film, Charlotte speaks of her fear of the ocean, until her Mum signed her up for surf therapy lessons. As someone who was very scared of the sea, and spent much of the first lesson on the beach, Charlotte’s journey to surfing competitively is a wonderful story of the positive power of the ocean.