A Teenager’s Snapshot of Life in 2021

A diary, trainers and a longing for travel were some of the things Yoana felt represented her year, and the creative arrangement of her items ensured she won the Kensington and Chelsea Census 2021 Time Capsule photo challenge.

Kensington and Chelsea council organised a Census 2021 Time Capsule photo challenge with a prize of £100 Amazon vouchers.

A student of The Quest Academy in South Croydon, Yoana had been informed of the competition through her design and technology department and entered the photo challenge “as I get to share my interests with others! I chose this blue diary because I like to write about everything that I find interesting. The shoes are a gift from my mother who has always been by my side. The airplane represents me and how I love to travel. The bracelet is a special gift from my best friend; it also links to the airplane because this year I am planning on going to the place where she brought it (her home country). Lastly the roses represent my favourite thing.” Delighted to have won, Yoana also mentions, ”My family already has completed the census, but it’s still not too late.”

In addition to the census, the time capsule is yet another great way for future generations to find out about our lives today. The photos will be collected and released in 10 years as a digital time capsule in advance of the next 2031 census.

A census undercount may cause your community to be underfunded

Completing the census is vital as it helps your borough to allocate the required services and funding for your local community, such as schools, doctors’ surgeries and even new bus stops. If you’re not counted, then it is possible that your council won’t be aware of the true scope of the population of people needing resources and services in your area, however there’s still time.

Visit www.census.gov.uk to fill it in or to request your unique access code. You can complete it online or request a paper copy.  For extra help, call the free helpline number which is 0800 141 2021.

Shortlisted time capsule photo entries.