The number of rough sleepers England has fallen slightly in the past year, but there were still 4,266 people estimated to be out on the streets, according to official government figures. That is down 9 percent on 2018, when 4,677 people were rough sleeping.

The data, which was first collated in 2010, looks at how many people are sleeping rough on one night of the year. Many charities think the measure isn't representative of the real picture, which could be much higher.

On Thursday, as the figures were released, Boris Johnson visited a charity in London that helps the homeless. It was a perfect photo opportunity for a leader who's boldly targeted an end to rough sleeping by 2024.

But, many critics blame his Conservative party for causing the issue, largely due to the austerity measures and cuts to government services since 2010. Since then, the number of people out on the streets has risen by 141 percent.

"I don't believe them [the government]. I think it's wishful thinking," said 53-year-old Sheila Tyson. She had a full-time job and a house before she was suddenly made homeless two years ago. 

"It was really, really upsetting to be honest with you. And a shock, a big shock you know. We've had no help from the government."

Sheila is one of 500 people a week who visits The Upper Room, a shelter for homeless people in West London. The charity started out helping one person in 1990 and now has 80-100 people dropping in on its free meal service.

Nicky Flynn heads the organisation and says there's been an increase in demand for their services in recent years: "Sometimes these people aren't eating at all, this is the one meal they eat everyday."

"We think 50 percent of the people who access our meal service are sleeping rough. And you know, lack of affordable housing is one of the key issues, relationship breakdown, mental health provision. People come to us in crisis."

With public services stretched, many homeless people rely on charities and other community organisations to help them get by.

18-year-old Cecily Heaton is a volunteer at The Upper Room. She spends her evenings once-a-week serving food to the homeless in between studying to go to university: "I think it's a nice break from working and seeing your friends because there are a lot of people here who you wouldn't normally interact with, so it's nice to be able to do that."

"I think it's really important not to judge someone by what situation they are in because anyone can find themselves in that situation," adds Cecily.

The British government has announced an additional $305 million (£236 million) to combat rough sleeping this year. For many of those at The Upper Room, and the thousands out on the streets, the hope is that some of that money will trickle down to those that need it most.