East End Health Action
End Health Action (EEHA) uses a community development approach to improving the health of the East end community through capacity building and partnership work. The project turned to LEAP because they wanted to change the aims and objectives they were working towards, as their current goals were unrealistic. They also wanted to use a community development approach to planning which was participatory and innovative. EEHA used community consultation to gather information on people’s health needs and this allowed them to identify the needs of the people in the East end. The project then adapted the LEAP framework to suit their needs and selected the bits that they thought would best serve their purposes for planning and evaluating. It was thought to be important for people to be able to embed the approach (participatory and needs led) in their thinking rather than go through the processes mechanically. As a result of adapting and using LEAP they now have information that can be presented at a strategic level to demonstrate the needs of the area. They also have the evidence they need to show funders that the project works and is value for money. For staff in the project, the benefit is being clear about what they are doing and the reasons why they are doing it.
