Local historians know full well the value of census data. However, it is not always appreciated that, although personal information is not revealed until 100 years after the census, anonymised data of potential value to historians starts to become available quite soon after the census is taken. The 2021 census is nearly upon us. There follows information from the census office about this year’s:

From this week every household in Lambeth will receive a letter letting people know how they can take part in the census. This is a once-a-decade survey of England and Wales which helps to support policy making, plan public services and inform where billions of pounds are spent, for example, on roads, schools and hospitals.
Each household must fill in the census by law.
If you need help completing your census questionnaire, there is plenty of support available:

1. the census website– https://census.gov.uk/

• More information on the census and why it is important
• Where you can go to complete your census online
• You can request a new 16-digit access code, if required
• You can request an individual form
• You can request a paper form
• You can find guidance in 49 different languages and in British Sign Language
  https://census.gov.uk/help/languages-and-accessibility/languages
• You can request information in braille, easy read format and large print
  https://census.gov.uk/help/languages-and-accessibility/accessibility

2. Census Telephone Support Centre– 0800 141 2021

• For any questions you have about the census
• To complete your census over the telephone
• To request an individual form or a paper form
• Relay UK users dial 18001 followed by the phone number

3. Census Language Helpline– 0800 587 2021

• A free translation service is available to help answer your census queries

4. Lambeth Census Virtual Workshop

A series of virtual workshops on how to complete the census form
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/142697940381