census 2021

If it hasn’t already arrived, you’ll soon be receiving a letter asking you to take part in the Census 2021 – the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

It helps us understand what our society needs now and will likely need in the future. The information helps decide how services such as transport, education and healthcare are planned and funded locally, which could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes. Charities also use census information to help get the funding they need, and businesses to decide where to set up, which creates job opportunities.

To complete online go to https://census.gov.uk/. You should complete your census form on Sunday 21 March or as soon as possible thereafter. You can submit your completed questionnaire before 21 March if you know who will be in your household on that day. The census will take around 10 minutes and can be done on any device, including a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

How to get help if you need it

If you need help, visit help pages at census.gov.uk or phone the contact centre free on 0800 141 2021. There is also a Text Relay Service on (18001) 0800 141 2021. You can request a paper copy from the call centre if that is your preference. 

In addition, there are Census Support Centres in Wiltshire to assist people who do not have access to a digital device or the digital skills or confidence to complete the online census. You can get support over the phone or book an appointment for assistance; in person visits may be allowed after April 12th depending on COVID restrictions

• Devizes Library Sheep Street, Devizes SN10 1DL | 01380 826190 | Email: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Trowbridge Library Ground Floor, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN | 01225 716700 | Email: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
• North Bradley Peace Memorial Hall Southwick Road, North Bradley BA14 0SH | 07982 763182 | Email: pbaxter70@yahoo.com
• Chippenham Library Timber Street, Chippenham SN15 3EJ | 01249 50536 | Email: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk  
• Salisbury Library Market Place, Salisbury SP1 1BL | 01722 324145 | Email: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Warminster Library Three Horseshoes Walk, Warminster BA12 9BT | 01985 216022 | Email: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
• Wylye Coyotes Afterschool Club CIC Greenlight Cherry Orchard, Codford, Warminster BA12 0PN | 01985 851713 | Email: info@wylyecoyotes.com

Also, the Being Forces friendly CENSUS 2021 podcast for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces for 1 day to 22 years is now live: https://soundcloud.com/beingforcesfriendly/episode-11-the-veteran-question – those on the panel and hosting were:

• Hosted by Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson (Director DRM). https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-jacko-jackson-ma-fcmi-49b7191b/
• Office for Veteran Affairs  (Representative: Damien Paterson (Deputy Director)
• Cobseo Representative: Gen Sir John McColl (Chairman, Cobseo)
• ONS Representative: Kerryanne (Census Engagement Manager – Veteran)

The podcast discusses the issue of veterans taking part in Census 2021, for both male & female veterans, veterans can be a person who served one day in the Armed Forces or 22 years. The discussion outlines the vital importance of ex forces personnel taking part in the Census 2021 which is the first ever Census to ask a question about service in the Armed Forces. The data it gathers will give organisations like these and HM Government the best data map of veterans across England and Wales, and enable service provisions in terms of health, employment, benefits, and support. The county of Wiltshire has a large serving and ex services community, and it is vital that veterans identify as such in the Census 2021, all data gathered by the Census is anonymised and personal details are released after 100 years. The mapping of and provision of those who have served in this Census is the largest ever data gathering of data regarding this community, and this data informs planning and provision of services at the national scale. For veterans to be recognized and supported it is vital to complete the Census. 

If you don’t receive your letter in the next couple of weeks, please call the census contact centre on 0800 141 2021. You can also request a paper questionnaire if you’d prefer to complete your census that way. You are required to complete the census by law. If you do not fill in the census, a census officer will contact you and encourage you to complete it. They will help you access any support you need to fill in your form. The personal information you give is protected by law and you cannot be identified in the statistics published.