Making waves in Walsall: learning from the success of the participatory appraisal network

Based on experiences in Walsall, UK, this report looks at participatory appraisal (PA) as a way of working with communities to involve them in decision-making. No two PAs are ever the sameùthe approach is ever-changing as people adapt its tools to their different situations in education, or health, or working with young people. Since PA was first used in a small project working with young people in 1997, it has become the basis for a network of 40 partners in Walsall. This network, the Walsall Participatory Appraisal Network, is the focus of this report, which examines where and why people in so many different walks of life have found PA useful. It also looks at how PA has contributed to local strategic partnerships and development. The report is divided into nine sections: taking a risk, why PA in Walsall; What is participatory appraisal; the Walsall context; the Walsall PA Network; Using PA in the Walsall Borough Strategic Partnership; the impact of PA work; what made the Walsall PA Network work; conclusions and recommendations; and further reading and contact information.