Get prepared for Census 2021

What is the census?
The census happens only once every 10 years. It gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in Northern Ireland. The information you give us helps decide how services are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes.
It asks questions about you and your household to build a picture of us all. It looks at who we are and how we live. It provides vital information about us, our society and future needs.

Past, present and future
The first census in Northern Ireland was in 1926 and the most recent in 2011, which you may remember. The next census is planned for 2021. We need every household in Northern Ireland to take part to make it accurate.

Help your area
It is really important you take part. Your information helps build a picture of where you live that’ll be used to decide how vital services are planned and funded. These include things like schools, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals and libraries. Charities and local services need census data too.

Moving the census online
We’re moving to a ‘digital-first’ census. We want as many people as possible to fill in their questionnaire online in 2021. It is easy to do and can be done on any device with internet connectivity. Most people will get a letter with a unique access code on it through the post. All you need to do is enter the code into our secure website and fill in the questionnaire. There’ll be plenty of support available if you have any concerns about filling it in. If you prefer, you can still return a paper form. We will be in contact nearer the time to let you know what you need to do.

Changes for Census 2021
The census gives an accurate picture of our society and the needs of everyone who lives here.
If we can make any changes to better meet those needs, we do.

New questions
Census 2021 will have new questions which are more relevant to the society we live in today. For the first time we will be asking people aged 16 years and over a question on sexual orientation. In the household section, we will be asking a new question on renewable energy systems.

Changes to existing questions
We’re making a few changes to questions too, for example, the ethnic group question has been updated to reflect the growth of particular ethnic groups within Northern Ireland since 2011.

Removing questions
We do not want to ask you any more questions than we need to, so we also take some away when they’re no longer needed. That’s why we no longer ask you about things like whether or not you’ve got an outside toilet, as we did from 1951 to 1991.
This time, we will not be asking how many rooms are in your house, or what year you last worked.

https://census.gov.uk/ni/
​

Just to let you know that the February Zoom programme for Libraries NI is now available 
 
Please note that they cannot guarantee places that are not booked at least 24 hours in advance.
Booking is essential.
1-2-1 sessions are available by arrangement.

Government Announces £16.5 Million Youth Covid-19 Support Fund (UK)

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has announced an emergency funding package to protect the immediate future of grassroots and national youth organisations.
£16.5 million will be available through the Youth Covid-19 Support Fund for grassroots youth clubs, uniformed youth groups, and national youth and umbrella organisations across the UK. The funding will be allocated from the government’s £750 million package of support, of which more than £60 million has already been provided to organisations working with vulnerable children and young people.

Further details, including eligibility and how to apply, are due to be announced soon.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-165-million-youth-covid-19-support-fund

Did you know that the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has announced plans for a Youth Assembly?
Please share with any young people aged between 14 and 25.
 
What is a Youth Assembly?
The Youth Assembly is exactly that… an Assembly for Youth - a platform designed to be used by young people to have their voices heard. The core age range of the members will be 13 to 17, but there will be an upper age limit of 21 to ensure diverse representation. The Youth Assembly will provide young people with direct access to the decision-makers at the heart of our democracy.
Just as with the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Youth Assembly will have 90 members. It will hold committee meetings to deal with specific issues, sessions will be presided over by the Speaker, and debates will most likely take place in the Assembly Chamber in Parliament Buildings.
What’s happening now?
The Youth Assembly is still at a very early stage – a lot of details still need to be ironed out, but that’s on purpose!  We want young people to help shape and develop how the Youth Assembly will work, what issues it will deal with, and how. 
Young people in Northern Ireland will be the driving force behind how the Youth Assembly is established and developed.  The idea for a Youth Assembly here has been in development for some time. We’ve looked at other youth forums and spoken to people involved in the youth sector and voluntary and community groups about how it will work. But, in order to help shape the Youth Assembly’s work, we really need young people to get involved.
Get involved!
The first step is to get yourself on our mailing list and we’ll keep you updated on everything you need to know. Check out the web page and sign up here.
You can also follow us on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/northernirelandyouthassembly
https://twitter.com/NIYouthAssembly
https://www.instagram.com/niyouthassembly/
​