Owners of homes at risk of falling into the sea from coastal erosion are to be offered therapy to help them deal with the anxiety.
The Sustain Coastal project, which is run by Norfolk and Waveney Mind, is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and will provide therapy and activities for those experiencing anger or ‘overwhelming grief’.
These would include monthly walk and talk groups, drop-in wellbeing sessions and one-to-one support meetings.
The service – which is part-funded by government money – will initially be focused on the villages of Happisburgh and Trimingham, which are at particular risk from the elements, but could be offered ‘across Norfolk’ through a ‘collaboration with partners’.
Ruth Taylor, the social development manager for Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: ‘In this bespoke project, we will include a greater focus on managing trauma, adapting to change, grief-tending activities and strengthening community connections.’
But locals said that, while ‘well-meaning’, it would do nothing to end the day-to-day torture of watching the distance between their homes and cliff edges narrow and instead want ‘practical’ help.
Bryony Nierop-Reading, 79, who recently had a static caravan craned into her garden in Happisburgh as she faced losing her second three-bedroom bungalow, told the Mail the scheme would provide ‘no help at all’.
‘The real problem is coastal erosion and the lack of sea defences. They can counsel us as much as they like but the anxiety, the worry and the anger is going to continue,’ she said.
Homes sit close to the cliff edge at Hemsby in Norfolk, where the beach has been closed off because of significant erosion and the risk that homes could fall into the sea
Demolition workers tear down Cliff Farm in Trimingham, Norfolk, which was rendered unsafe to be lived in by the owner after a recent slip left it overhanging the cliff
The service – which is part-funded by government money – will initially be focused on the villages of Happisburgh and Trimingham, which are at particular risk from the elements
‘I don’t want to be nasty about it. It’s nice that people are thinking about it. But it’s only a sticking plaster.’
Simon Measures, chairman of Save Hemsby Coastline, where dozens of homes have been torn down in the last couple of years after high tides and strong winds left them perilously close to a precipice, fumed: ‘I won’t say it’s unwelcome but it’s not going to make the problem go away.
‘There might be the odd person who doesn’t mind sitting down and talking about it and then says they feel better. But most people won’t.
‘Norfolk has the fastest eroding coastline in North West Europe, according to a Norfolk County Council report published last year.
Without intervention, more than 1,000 residences and businesses are expected to be lost in the next 80 years.
Locals have accused the government of abandoning them by allowing their properties to be lost and say more money should be ploughed into measures that will reduce erosion, such as sea walls and groins.
Bryony Nierop-Reading, 79, recently had a static caravan craned into her garden in Happisburgh as she faced losing her second three-bedroom bungalow
Demolition workers tear down the first of five clifftop homes in the village of Hemsby which has been hit by coastal erosion
A sign on the cliffs at Hemsby in Norfolk, where the beach has been closed off because of significant erosion and the risk that homes could fall into the sea
The mental health scheme is funded by the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Coastwise Coastal Transition Fund in partnership with North Norfolk District Council and is supported by the Climate Psychology Alliance.
Ms Taylor added ‘coastal change and the impacts of policy decisions around sea defences’ aroused ‘complex’ feelings.
‘They include anxiety, significant levels of anger, despair and depression, and overwhelming grief related to the threat of, or actual loss, of home, income, community networks and cultural assets,’ she said.
‘Other emotions include feelings of apathy and powerlessness. Some individuals most directly affected may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and what can be called pre-TSD in anticipation of the changes that are coming.’
A Defra spokeswoman said: ‘We are committed to supporting coastal communities for the challenges they face now and in the future.
‘That is why this Government is investing £2.65 billion over the next two years to better protect communities from flooding and coastal erosion.’
The mental health scheme is funded by the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Coastwise Coastal Transition Fund in partnership
A sign on the cliffs at Hemsby in Norfolk, where a number of residents have left their homes which are at risk of collapse as high tides cut into sandy cliffs
A North Norfolk District Council spokesman said: ‘North Norfolk District Council has a wide range of responses to coastal erosion delivering a number of schemes across the district including the Cromer and Mundesley Coastal Management Schemes and the Coastwise scheme.
‘Coastwise has been working with communities along the coastline with an array of activities such as offering advice, holding regularly public consultation through Coastwise cafes, helping with the demolition of an immediately at-risk house in Trimingham, proactively the moving the car park in Happisburgh away from the erosion risk-zone and working with at-risk property owners.
‘Nationally, it’s been identified that, as well as practical and physical impacts, coastal erosion also potentially impacts wellbeing and mental health of residents – and this has also been raised locally to North Norfolk District Council.
‘Through Coastwise we are therefore taking the opportunity to trial some mental health support options, working in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Mind to better understand the issue and types of support that may be of assistance. This activity is in addition to many other activities to seek to better prepare for coastal erosion.’
