Caldwell, Christine

This report looks at participatory appraisal (PA) methodology that is designed to involve people, particularly from communities that are socially excluded, in decisions that affect their lives. PA was originally developed with rural communities overseas, and has only recently started being used in the UK. This report summarises the findings from an evaluation of the use PA in a series of workshops looking at health issues in Scotland. It also introduces PA and looks at what it is, is not, and what it can achieve.

The East End Health Action (EEHA) is the local Community Health Project in Glasgow, Scotland. The Project used participatory appraisal to develop an East End Health Strategy. This article describes the process, including of training development workers from a range of disciplines to facilitate the participatory appraisal, and of Focus Group Workshops focusing on the identified key issues for children and young people.