COVID-19 led to significant economic and psychosocial impacts on individuals and their local communities. This research aimed to investigate the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a diverse range of individuals living in coastal areas in East Sussex, UK, including adverse, unexpected and positive outcomes.

This cross-sectional qualitative study used semistructured interviews conducted remotely between December 2020 and March 2021, referred to as the third lockdown. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify, describe, and analyse themes and patterns within the data.

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 25 participants living in East Sussex, to include a range of ages (above 18 years), genders, race/ethnicities, identities (eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex) and social backgrounds.

The pandemic was described as a significant life-changing event, with people saying their plans had changed ‘overnight’ and that their life was ‘on hold’ or it had lost its ‘infrastructure’ during the pandemic. Immediate changes to social lives, education, future plans, work, and housing were evident. These changes were felt particularly by those shielding (due to underlying health conditions) and people placed in emergency accommodation. Significant areas of impact were around family, friends, leisure, mental health, health-related behaviours, and employment. Some participants reflected on positive impacts around an increased sense of well-being or the restrictions affording time and flexibility to re-engage with their families. Adverse impacts around reduced friendship groups and the disruption to family life were often mitigated by developing strategies that helped adapt to new situations.

Residents of coastal areas in East Sussex were impacted widely and differentially. Both positive and challenging impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic were experienced unequally, potentially exacerbating health inequalities in coastal communities who were already at risk. Long-term strategies should consider the vulnerabilities of people living in coastal areas in planning for future health crises.