Basildon Council is encouraging residents not to give spare change to rough sleepers but to donate instead to a charity to help rebuild their lives.

The council has teamed up with St Mungo’s to run the campaign, “Change the way you give” which is also supported by Basildon Town Centre Management and Eastgate Shopping Centre. The initiative provides an outreach service to people who are sleeping rough and help them move off the streets.

Councillor Kerry Smith, chairman of the housing and community committee, said: “It’s hard for any of us to say no to someone who asks for some spare change to go towards a bus fare or cup of tea. A couple of pounds doesn’t seem a lot but giving it to those who beg direct can enable and encourage life on the streets.

“On some occasions a person who is begging may not even be homeless and for those who are genuinely homeless giving spare change doesn’t help to tackle the underlying issues that are causing their homelessness.

“People living on the streets need much more than spare change, they need a chance to learn new skills, get a job and a home. By giving to St Mungo’s people can make a real difference and help this become a reality.”

The council reports there has been an increase in the number of people sleeping rough in the town centre.

It estimates there are 17 people sleeping rough, and many more, believed not to be homeless, using the town centre to beg.

Matt Bawden, regional head at St Mungo’s, said: “Rough sleeping is harmful and dangerous and no one should have to sleep rough in this day and age. We live in a generous town and people understandably want to help.

“This campaign focuses on getting the right help at the right time to those who need it most.

“This could be by encouraging people sleeping rough to contact support services, letting residents know how to refer people they are concerned about and providing an alternative giving option to donating on the street.

“We work with people to tackle the particular problems that lead to them sleeping rough and aim to connect them with services as needed, from housing to health services and into skills and work opportunities.”

The “Change the way you give” campaign runs until Friday, December 1.

After this, the council continues to run the Basildon Emergency Night Shelter starting on Saturday, December 2 and running until Saturday March 31 to provide shelter for the homeless during the winter.

If you are concerned someone is sleeping rough, head to streetlink.org.uk