AS the winter months drew to a close, temporary homeless shelters shut up for the season.

But what happens to rough sleepers throughout the rest of the year?

A charity told how homelessness figures in south Essex have more than doubled sine 2010 - leaving aid organisations, church groups, foodbanks and councils to pull together and pick up the pieces.

It comes as the death of Alan Brown, 58 - described as “the life and soul of the streets” - sent shockwaves throughout the community. Known for playing guitar and singing to shoppers in Southend High Street, he faced a week-long battle for his life in intensive care following a heart attack.

Men sleeping rough on the streets of Basildon gave the Echo an insight into their desperation last month. They told stories of getting arrested so they could bed down in jail cells, and sectioning themselves under the Mental Health Act to escape the cold in hospital wards.

Phil Norton, 52, is the co-ordinator for the Basildon Street Pastors.

Lately he has been tasked to work with Basildon Council to better understand what the town’s homeless people need.

Harp is a Southend-based homeless charity. It helps to provide food and roofs over the heads of hundreds of rough sleepers.

Mr Norton, who has been a Street Pastor for more than five years, said: “We’ve been the eyes and ears on the ground. We’ve been out at night doing headcounts and talking to homeless people about what they need.

“We counted 12 rough sleepers, but also understand there are other communities holed up in abandoned buildings.

“By working with the council we can paint a clear picture - not just based on rumour. Changes are afoot and we’re feeling quite positive.”

In March, Basildon’s winter night shelter - ran by Churches Together with the council’s backing - closed. It was open for three nights a week.

Mr Norton explained how his research has led the council to consider a seven-night winter shelter -which could be open this year.

He also explained how charities, the Street Pastors and council are in talks to set up base in the town centre to help homeless people back into society.

A spokesman for Harp said: “Since 2010, homelessness in the UK has more than doubled. Our team are working hard to help people get back on their feet.

“Soon, we will be opening our new women’s hostel, White Heather House, which will allow us to house up to 20 extra people. This will increase our overall bed space from 150 to 170. These 170 beds will be available all year round.

“Local homeless people are also able to use the services at our Bradbury Day Centre, which include breakfast, lunch and washing facilities.

“We were saddened to hear of the passing of Alan last week, he was a fantastic character that will be missed by both our staff and service users. Our thoughts are with those that knew him.”

A Castle Point Council spokesman said homelessness is at a “very low level” across the borough. The spokesman told how the authority uses outreach workers to sign-post rough sleepers to relevant agencies, and will provide up to seven days in a Bed and Breakfast - during extreme weather conditions.

Mark Flewitt, Southend councillor for housing, said: “Through close work and commissioning with the voluntary sector, we are able to provide a high quality of provision for homeless people. Our expert local provider, Harp, runs day and night shelter facilities and we help to fund and organise a successful night shelter scheme during the winter through our local faith network.”

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “Basildon Council currently provides funding to St Mungos for a rough sleeper support worker who works directly with people who are street homeless as well as those who are at risk of rough sleeping, such as those currently sofa surfing of no fixed abode.

“The council has also helped fund and support the borough’s first ever winter night shelter, in partnership with local churches. Funding was secured for the shelter to operate for three nights per week during the winter months, up until the end of March.

“We are working hard to identify funding to operate the shelter again next winter and are optimistic about extending beyond three nights per week.”