People across Ceredigion are being asked to fill out their census rehearsal questionnaire this weekend to reflect their household on Sunday, October 13.

If you have not yet taken part, now is the time to find your invitation letter and go online or fill out the paper form.

Thousands of people across Ceredigion have already completed the questions to help the Office for National Statistics test the systems and processes it has put in place ahead of the 2021 Census.

“I want to thank everyone in Ceredigion who has already completed their questionnaire – we’ve had a great response so far,” deputy national statistician Iain Bell said.

“Census day is on Sunday, so if you haven’t already, please fill in your form. It takes just 20 minutes and you’ll be helping us make sure everything is working as it should ahead of the next census in 2021.”

Completing the census is easy. Households can do it on a computer, phone or tablet and the Office for National Statistics has people ready to help those who need support. If people want to respond on a paper questionnaire, they can. Individual forms are also available on request.

For face-to-face assistance completing the census questionnaire online visit Aberystwyth Library in Queen’s Square (Monday to Friday – or this Saturday 9.30am to 12noon and 1pm to 5pm) or head to Ceredigion Mobile Library Service, which visits towns and villages across the area every week.

In the next few days census field staff will be out following up with households who have not yet responded.

Census data helps everyone. By using census population data as evidence for its Government Rural Communities Development funding bid, the Ceredigion association of voluntary organisations (CAVO) successfully won approval to update and create public spaces across the county. It means the communities of Llanddewi Brefi, Llanon, Ponterwyd and Cardigan are now making the most of their play and recreation areas, including two refurbished playgrounds, a resurfaced skate park, and a new multi-use games area.

Cathryn Morgan, Play Development Officer at Ceredigion County Council, said: “Without the stats from the 2011 Census it would have been very difficult to pull together the evidence needed by the funding body to successfully get the grant.”

The more people who respond now in Ceredigion, the more accurate information the ONS will have to plan for the success of the national event which helps inform vital public services such as the number of children’s school places, hospital and GP services and social care provision.

A range of accessible support is available for members of the public at census.gov.uk. People in Wales can also call 0800 169 2021, text 86677 or tweet @census2021help. An interpretation service is also available on 0800 587 2021