Have you been pa'd?: using participatory appraisal to shape local services

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. Taking examples from the projects themselves, and using the voices of those involved in the processes, the report demonstrates how PA can be used in community and agency decision-making. It also shows what is learned by the community, by the organisations involved, and by decision-makers. The report is grouped into 9 key areas: Scotland, health and poverty; introduction; what is participatory appraisal; PA in action in an urban setting; what difference does PA make; good practiceùit is didn't work, then it wasn't PA; ways forward; useful contacts; and a checklist for communities, organisations and decision-makers.