Community Appraisal
The information on this web page has been adapted from a factsheet provided by the Durham Rural Community Council.
The Government’s 'Sustainable Development: opportunities for change' document states that:
"Building sustainable communities involves considering how to encourage employment, decent housing, good health, and access to services and recreation, in ways which make good use of natural resources, protect the environment, promote social cohesion, and contribute to local, regional and national prosperity. It brings together matters such as land use planning, an integrated transport policy, housing and construction, and regeneration of cities, towns and rural areas".
Community appraisals involve local people in determining the future of their communities by seeking the views of residents on issues of concern and developing a plan of action to address the issues raised. Appraisals help people to explore ways of making their communities more sustainable.
What is an appraisal?
A community appraisal is a study carried out through the involvement of local people which takes stock of all aspects of the community : the assets and deficiencies, the problems and needs.The aim of the appraisal is to involve local people in shaping the future of their community to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.
Why do an appraisal?
There are a number of reasons for undertaking an appraisal:- To identify problems, available resources and solutions.
- To enable local people to decide on action they want to take in their community.
- To provide evidence of community support and local need, to help in attracting funding for local action.
- To help influence the decision-makers.
How does the appraisal take place?
The appraisal can be undertaken in many ways and using a variety of techniques to involve the community. However, the following list outlines a possible series of steps to follow:- An initial public meeting is set up to inform people of the appraisal and generate interest.
- Workshops and meetings are run to establish the issues of concern to people in the community.
- A steering group of local residents, members of community groups and local organisations is set up to drive the appraisal.
- A household questionnaire is produced, circulated and analysed.
- More detailed information is gathered through work with specific groups of people (for example, parents, older people or on specific issues).
- As many people as possible are encouraged to be involved through detached work, events, activities and training.
- Separate questionnaires may be aimed at young people, local businesses etc.
- Based on local people’s views, potential projects or areas for action are identified. These can be realistically assessed and prioritised with the help of other organisations.
- A partnership can be formed with local authorities and other organisations to encourage good working relationships.
- A report is produced that outlines the views and opinions of the whole community. An action plan outlines projects that the community would like to take forward.
What can an appraisal achieve?
An appraisal can help to build a sustainable community where:- Local services and facilities are provided or can be easily accessed.
- Local jobs, training and opportunities are available.
- Local people feel safe and confident in contributing to their community.
- The local environment creates an attractive and pleasant place to live - a place where people want to live and a place where people feel confident that future generations will want to live.
Further Sources of Information
Durham Rural Community CouncilPark House
Station Road
Lanchester
County Durham
DH7 OEX
Tel: 01207 529621
Groundwork West Durham
Grosvenor House
29 Market Place
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7NP
Tel: 01388 662666
Groundwork East Durham
Seaton Holme
Hall Walks
Easington Village
Peterlee
County Durham
SR8 3BS
Tel: 0191 5273333
Local parish council.
Publications
Village Appraisals for Windows software package - developed jointly by the Countryside and Community Research Unit and the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. Tel 01242 544083.Community Appraisals - a practical guide. Durham Rural Community Council. Tel 01207 529621.
Community Action Plans - A Step by Step Guide. Suffolk ACRE. Tel 01473 584595.
Participation Works New Economics Foundation. ISBN 1899407 17 0 - 21 techniques of community participation for the 21st Century.
Designing Productive Meetings and Events - How to increase participation and enjoyment. Local Agenda 21 in South Oxfordshire. Tel 01491 823497.
Resources
Durham Rural Community Council’s Resource Room. Examples of appraisals, questionnaires, Village Appraisal for Windows software package, funding resources and FunderFinder available. Tel 01207 529621 to book an appointment.Case Study - Edmondsley Community Appraisal
Why was a community appraisal carried out?
Edmondsley was identified by Chester-le-Street District Council and Durham Rural Community Council as being a targeted ward for European funding. To access these funds a community appraisal was needed. Issues relating to the sustainability of Edmondsley village had already been raised locally due to its size and being one of only a few rural areas within the District.How did the appraisal get started?
A presentation on the appraisal process was initially given to the Parish Council. Following the discussions a public meeting was arranged and advertised in the Parish newsletter, local newspapers and posters were displayed around the village and outlying areas of Edmondsley Parish.
At the public meeting the idea of a community appraisal was introduced, interest from local people to carry the appraisal forward was established and the main issues identified.
What were the main issues raised?
- Education and training provision.
- Childcare needs.
- Transport.
- Traffic.
- Community safety.
- Housing.
- Environmental issues.
- Shops, services and facilities.
- Parish Council affairs.
- Information and Communication.
- Youth provision.
How were people involved in the appraisal?
A range of different methods were used both to involve people in the appraisal process and to ensure that the consultation process reached as many as possible.
The methods used were:
- Collection of secondary data, for example statistical information, Ordnance Survey information.
- Public meetings - to initiate the appraisal, establish interest and identify the main issues.
- Steering Group Meetings - a core of people developed to carry out the appraisal.
- Workshops - to design the questionnaire, discuss results and develop an action plan to tackle the issues raised.
- Household questionnaire - delivered to every household in the Parish.
- Computers and computer training were provided to enable questionnaire responses to be entered directly onto a database.
- Focus group work - to identify problems and issues facing specific groups within the Parish.
- Youth questionnaire - conducted through the secondary schools.
- Workshops - a local theatre company ran drama workshops to consult with primary-age children.
- Business survey - this was conducted as a postal survey to look at issues of concern to the business community.
- Farming survey - this was conducted as a telephone survey to establish local farming issues.
- Environment and heritage walk - to look at environmental issues and areas of local interest.
- A trip to Quaking Houses reedbed scheme - to help explain and generate interest in a similar scheme taking place in Edmondsley.
How were the results presented?
- A public meeting.
- A summary leaflet delivered to each household.
- The full appraisal report was available throughout the village.
How were other organisations involved?
Durham Rural Community Council, Groundwork West Durham, Durham Co-operative Development Association, Theatre Cap-a-Pie and Durham Wildlife Trust were all involved in the process of carrying out the community appraisal. Following the development of the action plan, organisations and agencies which could potentially help with the development of any of the projects were invited to a meeting. All relevant organisations and agencies were sent a community appraisal report.What have been the results of the appraisal?
- A prioritised plan of action.
- A constituted community partnership.
- A part-time community development worker, funded initially for one year.
- A funding application submitted for one project and two others in preparation.
- A new community-led youth cub is under way.
- A Fun Day is planned.
