Island Bay Presbyterian congregation seeks to follow the way of Jesus 
into the wider community. Tēpu mō Tātou (literally: table for us all) is our project in Berhampore. Its focus is on food security, addiction support, and mental health support ion our social housing communities.
Our work is made possible through funding from
Presbytery Central
Wellington City Council
Tindall Foundation
TG McCarthy
In 2016 we employed a Community Minister, Bruce Hamill, who works in a team from the congregation to find ways of being with, supporting and learning from those in the community, who, for many and complex reasons, are disadvantaged and know what it’s like to struggle against the odds. In 2019 we commissioned a Family Ministry Enabler, Maria Cross, to work in Berhampore, particularly with families and children.
Rintoul St Flats, Berhampore
We work with tenants and Wellington City Council to open up the Community Room more often and build community life. We spend a lot of time at the flats supporting people in times of crisis. We share a soup lunch once a week in the Community Room (soup provided by the congregation, baking from BGI and a generous Wellington business). We support tenant-lead workshops and a tenant-lead ‘Fixery’ where residents get advice and tools to fix a range of everyday items. Individual volunteers offer driving lessons and vocational support to new immigrants in the flats. We have a team of volunteers who (supported by tenant leaders – Kaitiaki) bring Kaibosh (food that would otherwise be wasted) every Saturday evening and hold regular community barbecues to create a festive atmosphere in the flats (especially in the summer).
The Berhampore Youth Group
We also run a fortnightly youth space for teens in the flats and the surrounding community. This is a place to chill, play games, discuss life issues, find friendship and mentoring through the youth years. We also arrange an adventure outing each term. In the past we have gone kayaking to Tapu Te Ranga island, skiing at Mt Ruapehu, bonfires at the beach, and there are opportunities to join in the occasional tramp.
The Berhampore Fruit and Vege Co-op
We’ve established a fresh food co-op in Berhampore in response to the fact that for many people, affording transport to a market, on top of the cost of produce, is challenging. It happens every Thursday.
The pick-up point is the Rintoul St Flats Community Room (263 Rintoul St) – 4-6pm. Please register first. Orders can also be made online (and pre-paid) by 5pm on the Thursday prior to Tuesday’s collection. Banking details are on the registration form.
The Berhampore co-op is a branch of the Eastern Suburbs Fruit and Vege Co-op based out of the Newtown Salvation Army, a hub for a joint venture between Wesley Community Action, Regional Public Health and M.E. Transport Ltd.
Every so often the Co-op offers regular and free 8-week cooking courses (“Kai Confidence”). It is very popular! It aims to help those lacking confidence in cooking to be creative using the weekly order. Food is provided and everyone eats together afterwards.
If you would like to be involved with us through the week in any way, please contact Bruce Hamill at 027 2756041.