This report published by the Barrow Community Regeneration Company is an example of the growing trend for Participatory Appraisal being used in the UK. It has been produced in conjunction with "Sustain" the alliance for better food and farming to work with local authorities and agencies looking at food poverty in the UK. The report is the result of community mapping projects using PA in Hindpool and Barrow in Furness between November 2000 And August 2001. A group called the Community Consultation Monitoring and Evaluation Partnership was created to address the need for new methods of consultation. The aims of the group were to share information between agencies, avoid duplication and ensure that community actions were followed up.
The project took place over a sixth month period during which participatory community mapping activities were followed by a verification process which identified who was responsible for making actions happen and what people could do for themselves. Solutions were identified such as the need for community cooking classes, food education in schools and local access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Over 10% of residents in Hindpool have taken part and an Action Plan has been drawn up and presented to policy makers.
The report details the process, looking at local and national contexts, the participatory tools and approaches used and the resulting Action Plan as well as looking at future developments. It is written in an accessible and colourful format.