Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
A few minor contradictions from the census takers - let me count the ways
I've recently received an email from someone who describes him / herself as " Census Engagement Manager for West Haringey".
- And finally, the thing which I suspect will cause the most widespread shock and horror, this is to be a 'digital first' census. One often reads that anyone over 50 is technically illiterate, unable to cope with the vagaries of Facebook and online shopping. Thus, at a stroke, the census is creating a barrier to the participation of many of those most in need of the services the counts are supposed to justify.
- Second, in the email the engagement manager says that "I am not allowed to join your community website due to government restrictions". (Not HoL, obviously, another community website). And yet, there is a user on HoL called Census 21 - Haringey, which must be either an impostor or operating in breach of government restrictions. I hate this sort of contradiction. I can feel shock creeping up on me.
- First off, I'm slightly surprised (not quite shocked yet) that a census is taking place at all this year. Surely the signs aren't good. The illiberal oppressive regime running the country by statutory instrument at the moment won't even let me jog round the running track in Finsbury Park. Why should I co-operate with them in any way shape or form?
- Thirdly, Census 21 is clearly not someone's name. There was a time when I appeared here as 'Mack the Knife' (I don't remember why I chose that name) and was roundly taken to task for it. Surely this anonymous census taker cannot be allowed such shocking licence.
Perhaps there's an explanation.
Tags for Forum Posts: 2021, census, digital-first
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I was a Census area manager 2001 (I covered NW1) back then, as social media didn’t exist, adverts were placed in the National and local press to let people know that the Census was happening and the recruit Census enumerators (the people who go door to door) It seems pretty sensible to do the same but to add in social media, especially hyper local social media like HoL, to get the message across to the maximum number of people - just like the way that government messages about Covid pop up all the time in places like Facebook and Twitter.
“Digital First” means that everyone will be given the opportunity of completing the census on line. Those that don’t will then be door knocked in the old fashioned way and given help to complete it if that is needed. Not much different from the vaccination roll out that’s happening now, with a mixture of text messages, paper letters and telephone follow-ups to those who have not yet taken up the offer.
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