24 February 2021
Ashfield Voluntary Action (AVA) and local centres are offering a ‘Census Support Service’ from 1 March – 4 May to help residents complete their census online. The census must completed by law and this is the first time they are asking members of the public to complete it online - so we have put together some useful information to explain what it is and how we can help you:
The Census is coming. By taking part, you can help to inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as schools, doctors’ surgeries and bike lanes.
It’s important you fill in your Census questionnaire because the information you share affects the life of every single person living in England and Wales.
Because these things matter to us all, everyone needs to complete the Census. Don't worry, your information is protected by law. That means government officials dealing with payments or services you receive cannot see it.
Census Day is Sunday 21 March. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let The Office for National Statistics (ONS) know.
If you need help, you can visit www.census.gov.uk where there’s a wide range of support services available.
There are 4 main centres delivering the Census Support Service for Ashfield and Mansfield, you can contact us directly with any questions you have about the census, or book an appointment to get help with completing your form online, we do not accept walk-ins:
ASHFIELD VOLUNTARY ACTION
Call: 01623 784 345 or 01623 784 347 (enquiries taken Mon-Fri 08:30-16:30 with voicemail service for out of hours)
Health & Wellbeing Centre (Kirkby-in-Ashfield) and sessions at Ashfield Community Enterprise (Stanton Hill)
UNDER ONE ROOF
Call: 0115 9521236 (enquiries taken Mon-Fri 9am – 3pm with out of hours voicemail)
3A Vine Terrace, Hucknall, NG15 7HN
MANSFIELD CVS
01623 392444 (see below census link for updated times)
36 Wood St, Mansfield NG18 1QA
WARSOP INFOTECH
01623 846794 or 07864 268009 (see below census link for updated times)
Warsop Town Hall, NG20 0AL
All location details and appointment times are updated here: https://census.gov.uk/en/find-a-support-centre/. Please note, additional evening and weekend appointments are available but you must call to arrange a support session with a local adviser.
You can call us on 01623 784 345 or 01623 784 347 from 8.30am - 4.30pm with any queries about Census 2021, or to book an appointment to complete the Census digitally. At the moment, with current lockdown restrictions all support is by telephone, but as we come out of lockdown, face-to-face appointments may become available. We will also extend hours nearer the time so that people who are working or have other commitments are also able to easily access support. You can also leave us a telephone message out of hours and someone will come back to you.
Whilst we offer support at venues in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Stanton Hill and Hucknall and Mansfield CVS are offering support in Mansfield and Warsop, we are also looking to work in partnership elsewhere in Ashfield District. If there are any other organisations in Ashfield (Selston or Huthwaite particularly) who are interested in having a volunteer deliver some hours at their location then please get in touch with us on 01623 555 551.
This is the first ever digital-first Census, so we understand why some residents might have concerns. It is a legal requirement to complete the Census and we want to reassure you about any worries you might have. We’ll be on hand to support people who don’t have access to a computer or internet. You might be wondering why it matters, but the Census as it has a direct impact on our organisations and the services we have in the area. The shape of services like schools, transport and health are all based on data from the Census, so it matters to us all and will make a difference to services in our area.
Ashfield Voluntary Action is the local support centre in Ashfield and will help residents with filling in their Census forms, answering questions, and signposting. Centres have been working hard to get prepared for the launch next Monday 1 March and Census Day falls on Sunday 21 March! At present we will only be offering a telephone support service (during lockdown and Tier 4). If we move into Tier 3 we can then move to a face-to-face service - all centres are following government regulations and have all the appropriate PPE and procedures in place, should we be able to open.
Our 11 volunteers have been through ONS training on how to complete the forms, are DBS checked, and have signed confidentiality agreements.
Please note we are able to support residents with accessing paper copies via the ONS, however we are primarily encouraging a digital-first service!
Encourage everyone to get on board with the Census and let them know we’re here to help! Promote the Census on your social media channels, websites, newsletters, and directly with the people you are working with.
There are many resources available to download via the Census website: https://census.gov.uk/downloadable-resources - including leaflets in MANY languages! Social media assets, messaging, leaflets, and handbooks. Some key resources are here:
Census digital copy for partners (text useful for website content, newsletters)
A4 poster: Census is coming (contact us for hard copies if you have somewhere to display publicly)
Census 2021: Community Handbook
Census 2021: Councillor Handbook
If you have any queries please get in touch with Anna Kerr at Ashfield Voluntary Action.
Anna Kerr
Business Development Officer
Direct Dial: 01623 784 344
Main office: 01623 555 551
Ashfield Voluntary Action
Portland Street | Kirkby-in-Ashfield | NG17 7AE
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