Tēpu Mō Tātou (Berhampore Open Table)
Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TepuMoTatou
The Tēpu Mō Tātou initiative emerged from the Island Bay Presbyterian Church (IBPC); our desire to undertake this work was born when we heard of a resident at the Granville Flats in Berhampore, only a ten minute walk from our own facility, passing away in his flat and not being found for two months. Rev Bruce Hamill kicked off this initiative and worked as our community minister for the first eight years of the life of Tepu mo Tatou (since 2017). He is now working full time in Wellington social housing support and we are grateful for his vision and inspiration.
We chose to focus on Wellington City Council social housing complexes (now run by Te Toi Mahana), where a lack of Government housing subsidies results in tenants with greater material needs.
The initial need we identified was food security, and we connected with the Wellington Fruit and Vege Co-op and Kaibosh Food Rescue. We quickly came to realise, however, that there were greater requirements around the provision of mental health support, and that to ensure those in the flats could flourish the focus needed to be equally on whanaungatanga: i.e. community relationships, support and connection.
We began this work at Granville Flats, Berhampore, in 2016. When Granville closed in 2022, we expanded to include Rintoul St Villas and Newtown Park Flats. Several hundred tenants live in these apartments, approximately one third being rangatahi and tamariki, and many tenants are over the age of 60. A large number of tenants do not have English as a first language, and a significant number are from a refugee background.
The Tēpu Mō Tātou Community
This movement promotes capacity among tenants, themselves, to advocate and work towards change according to their own priorities and skills. So far this has been centred around food security and sustainability of food sources (eg gardens) initiatives.
The IBPC church community are core to the work, donating time and talents and help with things such as setting up an immigrant mums’ group, vocational training support, driving lessons, art projects, and originally a youth group. Other supporters from the wider community have also been drawn to this project, bringing more talents and resources to the kete, including helping with setting up a fixery and running festivals and one-off events.
Tēpu Mō Tātou is largely tenant-lead, but has room for all, as communities that might not usually interact, come together, offering support and whanaungatanga, and improving mental health outcomes for all.
If you would like to volunteer or be part of this initiative, contact Bruce on #027 275 6041.
Who funds us?
With such a large pool of volunteers, Tēpu Mō Tātou is a very cost-effective initiative, connecting with a large number of some of the most marginalised people in our communities. IBPC covers admin and oversight, and all events happen in the flat community rooms or outdoor areas.
All donations are gratefully received, and as IBPC is a registered charity, donations attract a tax rebate. If you would like to contribute, please visit our Giving page and you will find the bank account details. Please put “Tepu” as a reference.
Our work is currently supported by the church and private donors.
What do we do?
There are several regular weekly gatherings, promoting connectivity, support, fun, a chance to debrief and share life and ideas, and food security. If you seek information about any of these please contact Bruce.
Activities and events through the week include table tennis; cuppa and a chat; Kaibosh food collection, and a community lunch.
For those in the flats who desire a Christian community but who may struggle to access church, Nourish is a non-denominational gathering that meets every second Sunday in the evening for prayer and reflection, followed by food.
The Berhampore Fruit and Vege Co-op
(Also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/berhamporefruitvege)
Many years ago Tēpu Mō Tātou established a fresh food co-op in Berhampore because many people – both within and outside of social housing – found that the cost of supermarket food, and transport to get it, was challenging.
The Berhampore co-op operates every Thursday. It 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 a free 8-week cooking courses (“Kai Confidence”). It is very popular! It aims to help those lacking confidence in cooking to be creative using their 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, again, please contact Bruce Hamill on 027 2756041.