This is the once-a-decade count of the population of Scotland, collecting information about where you stay and the people who stay there, including which religion you belong to.
The information you provide in the census, which may be completed online or by post, will help make decisions about how public money will be spent on schools, healthcare, roads and other important services in your local community. It is the go-to data source for social researchers in developing policy and is, therefore, very important.
Parishioners should be encouraged to complete the census, providing accurate information about themselves and their households, including their religious affiliation. Parishioners should also be invited to encourage family and friends to complete the census.
Some people might have difficulty either accessing or completing the census. Where possible, support should be offered to help these people to accurately complete the census. Parishes may wish to consider identifying parishioners who might be able to offer this support.
The deadline for completion of the census is 20 March 2022, known as Census Day.
You can find out more about the 2022 Census here: Scotland's Census 2022 | Scotland's Census (scotlandscensus.gov.uk)
You can access resources to help publicise the Census here (includes accessible formats and translations e.g. Polish): Stakeholder promotional materials | Scotland's Census (scotlandscensus.gov.uk)