Additional Census Support Centres open across Blackburn with Darwen

You can now book appointments at three different Census Support Centres, located at Blackburn Library, Darwen Library and Audley & Queens Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) – which runs Census 2021 – is working with the Council’s Library Service to deliver a successful cenus.

Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to local organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.

The census will shed light on the needs of different groups and communities, and the inequalities people are experiencing, ensuring the big decisions facing the country following the coronavirus pandemic and EU exit are based on the best information possible.

Census day takes place on Sunday March 21, but people will be able to complete their forms from March 1 over a 9-week period.

Denise Park, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said:

The census is an incredible national effort to understand what local services and funding need to be prioritised for our future.

This kind of research only happens every ten years, and it’s so important every Blackburn with Darwen household has their say on what they want to see more of moving forwards – particularly as we begin planning for beyond the pandemic.

Households will begin receiving letters with online codes in March explaining how they can complete their online census. People can also request a paper questionnaire if they’d prefer to complete the census that way.

Advisors based at one of the borough’s three Census Support Centres can help you to complete your census form over the phone by guiding you through the form, or by completing it for you.

Alternatively you can book to use a PC onsite, or use the WiFi, if you are able to complete the form independently using your own device.

You can also book face-to-face appointments at Blackburn Library and Audley & Queens Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre, with hopes to extend this offer to Darwen Library in the near future.

Appointments are available until 4 May 2021, and will need to be booked in advance.

For Blackburn Library call 01254 661221 between the following times:

• Monday – Friday: 10am to 4pm
• Saturday: 10am – 2pm

For Darwen Library call 01254 706021 between the following times:

• Monday & Friday: 10am to 1pm
• Wednesday & Thursday: 1pm to 4pm
• Saturday: 10am to 2pm

For Audley and Queens Park Neighbourhood Centre call 01254 507720 between the following times:

• Monday – Friday: 9am to 4pm

Paul Fleming, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Strategic Director Resources and Census Lead, said:

We’re very pleased to have been selected to receive Census Support Centre funding, and to be part of the national network of advisors helping residents to access and complete the census online.

The census is an amazing opportunity to shout about what services are important to you and your household, pinpointing right down to your postcode area, helping us make decisions about transport, health, schools and so much more.

Please take advantage of the brilliant team at Blackburn Library, who are more than happy to help with any queries, questions or concerns you may have when it comes to filling out your census.

The main census field operation will begin only after Census Day, contacting those who have not responded. Field staff will never need to enter people’s houses; they will always be socially distanced, wear PPE and work in line with all government guidance. They will be operating in the same way as a postal or food delivery visit.

Census 2021 will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available in 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information and advice on how to answer the questions, visit census.gov.uk.