"pit-stop" drop in day centre
Timetable: Two days a week in the form of a drop-in.
Objective:
Objective:
- provide facilities for breakfast and dinner for up to 100 people
- sit with people and get to know them and their needs
- offer practical help i.e. liaising with agencies, completing forms, as well as helping with emotional needs and providing hope and encouragement
- be open to anyone over 18 years old who is lonely or needs practical help and encouragement, regardless of social standing, race or belief system. Past service-users have been elderly people, people with mental health problems, the homeless,
people with addictions, people with practical needs, unemployed and lonely people
We believe in people and that everyone has something they can contribute to society as a whole. Each person has value.
We have good policies in place and provide a safe place and "an oasis of hope and help in a busy world"
We have good policies in place and provide a safe place and "an oasis of hope and help in a busy world"
One client who used to come to "pit-stop" regularly and is now in full time employment shares his story:
"“pit-stop” Thursday was a day I knew I could get food. It was often the only meal in a week that contained vegetables. The staff always made us feel welcome and valued; they would specifically come and ask how I was and show interest in my life. Christmas and Easter were special dates on the calendar, with “pit-stop” giving presents out, decorating the hall in a festive atmosphere. Throughout the year the staff would pray with you if you wanted to pray.
The Monday night food van another great source for food. Additionally you could get clothes which were great – dry socks, warm jackets, jeans. David especially sourced a pair of trainers for me as the van didn’t have any in my size and the shoes I had were holed. Grace always asked how I was, and also enquired after my friend if she wasn’t there. The volunteers made us feel welcome and cared about and offered prayer when we wanted it.
The recovery course gave me an understanding as to who I was and why I was the way I was, or rather why I couldn’t just be myself. It helped me change my thinking (positively) and has led me to attending church on a fairly regular basis. Through “pit-stop” I knew the course co-ordinator so I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in."
Below are comments from other service-users about "pit-stop"
"“pit-stop” Thursday was a day I knew I could get food. It was often the only meal in a week that contained vegetables. The staff always made us feel welcome and valued; they would specifically come and ask how I was and show interest in my life. Christmas and Easter were special dates on the calendar, with “pit-stop” giving presents out, decorating the hall in a festive atmosphere. Throughout the year the staff would pray with you if you wanted to pray.
The Monday night food van another great source for food. Additionally you could get clothes which were great – dry socks, warm jackets, jeans. David especially sourced a pair of trainers for me as the van didn’t have any in my size and the shoes I had were holed. Grace always asked how I was, and also enquired after my friend if she wasn’t there. The volunteers made us feel welcome and cared about and offered prayer when we wanted it.
The recovery course gave me an understanding as to who I was and why I was the way I was, or rather why I couldn’t just be myself. It helped me change my thinking (positively) and has led me to attending church on a fairly regular basis. Through “pit-stop” I knew the course co-ordinator so I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in."
Below are comments from other service-users about "pit-stop"
- Nice. Appreciate food and staff
- Very good. Very welcoming
- Pleasant enough. Don’t ram God down throat
- Perfect
- Nice/polite.calm
- Staff are respectful and polite to us all
- Do good job, have time for people. They realise people have problems
- One of the nicest centres going for the homeless/unemployed. Friendly , helpful, accepting, clean premises
- Enjoy social aspect. Focus point for Thursday. Gets out and it provides a purpose for going out
- Lonely, people to meet, enjoy the food. Make us feel at home
- I love all the people here
“Pit-stop” day centre ran for 13 years in hired locations in Southampton city centre. It closed in September 2013 to allow us to re-focus and channel our resources towards the new recovery centre which will open in custom built facilities in the basement of the Victory Centre, Portswood. If you would like to support us in re-opening "pit-stop" by donating any amount to the building project, please use the "donate" button on this web-site.
