Posted on 18th Mar
Five local centres are helping deliver this year’s ‘digital-first’ Census, providing a space for trained advisers to help you complete it.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which runs Census 2021, is working with local centres across Mansfield and Ashfield.
The census is a mandatory questionnaire that helps to shape our community by gathering local information every 10 years.
This national effort helps to understand what local services and funding need to be prioritised for our future – things such as schools, health and transport.
Advisors from the dedicated Census Support Centres can assist those who may be struggling to complete the form online. They can answer questions and help to complete the census form over the phone during lockdown or completing it on your behalf.
Face-to-face appointments may also be available in the future, if Covid-19 restrictions allow. These will be held at Ashfield Voluntary Action (Kirkby), Mansfield CVS, Under One Roof (Hucknall), Ashfield Community Enterprise (Stanton Hill) and Warsop infotech.
Teresa Jackson, manager at Ashfield Voluntary Action, said: “This kind of research only happens every ten years, and it’s so important every Mansfield and Ashfield household has their say on what they want to see more of moving forwards – particularly as we begin planning for beyond the pandemic.
“Please take advantage of the brilliant voluntary advisers, who have been trained by census to assist you with any queries, questions or concerns you may have when it comes to filling out your census.”
Census day itself takes place on Sunday, 21st March, but local residents can complete their forms from 1st March over a nine-week period.
Households should already be receiving letters which explain how they can complete their online census. People can also request a paper questionnaire via the main census contact number if they are unable to use the support service.
Census 2021 will include the usual questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people if they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Appointments are available until 4th May and will need to be booked in advance by calling the relevant local number: Ashfield Voluntary Action/Ashfield Community Enterprise: 01623 784 345 or 01623 784347; Mansfield CVS: 01623 392 444; Warsop Infotech: 07864 268 009 or 01623 846794; Under One Roof: 01159 521 236
