Open five days a week (11am-4pm), and the first Sunday in every month, the centre provides invaluable assistance for all age-groups, including hot meals, computer training, counselling and perhaps above all friendship.

Around 30 volunteers from Leatherhead, Ashtead and the surrounding villages help out, and there are also regular visits by the Benefit Agency, drug and alcohol team and doctors from Epsom Hospital. An advocacy worker, paid for by the NHS, comes in three times a week.

Pitstop relies entirely on donations, and is sponsored by local businesses, churches and other organisations. According to coordinator Graham Peddie, Pitstop is one of just two day-care centres of its kind in Surrey - the other being in Guildford.

For more information contact Pitstop at Leatherhead FC, Fetcham Grove, Leatherhead Tel: 363003.