Volunteer Terri Cairns hard at work in the community garden at Hampton Park Uniting Church.
By Rachel Alembakis
When you arrive at Hampton Park Uniting Church, the first thing you notice is its vibrancy.
A thriving vegetable garden flourishes in one corner of the property, while late-summer flowers explode in a riot of colour.
On the forecourt in front of the church, at least three separate services provide visitors with information and guidance.
The grounds are alive with people of all ages and backgrounds, filling every corner with a hum of purpose and activity.
Like other congregations across Victoria, Hampton Park is seeing increasing demand for its services.
“It’s grown into a multicultural community,” says Lyn McBain, a longtime congregation member and dedicated volunteer.
“All our programs have grown. The English class has grown and we are able to pay Irene, our English teacher.
“We have a playgroup on Fridays as well and about 30 kids come to that.”
While the congregation itself consists of 35 to 50 active members, the church welcomes hundreds of people through its doors each week.
They come for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, art therapy, children’s playgroups, and access to essential services such as the food pantry and packed meal distribution.
At the same time, there is a flow of volunteers, both from within the congregation and the broader community, who play a crucial role in keeping these programs running.
“We run a Christmas Day lunch every year,” Lyn says.
“This past Christmas, we had 130 guests.
“Two professional chefs, a husband and wife, prepare the meal each year, and this time, a new member of our congregation volunteered.
“We offer a traditional Christmas lunch but also include curries, rice, vegetarian, and gluten-free options to cater to everyone.”
At the heart of Hampton Park Uniting Church, both symbolically and physically, is its kitchen.
Its deep red feature wall in the foyer, a deliberate design choice when the church was built in 2008, represents the warmth and hospitality that define this space.
Volunteers Doreen Doig, Jackie Blanche, Karen Jensen Schmidt and Chris Hale in the kitchen at Hampton Park Uniting Church.
The community and kitchen garden, featuring 48 plots, is a testament to the resourcefulness of the congregation.
Volunteers repurposed a dismantled wooden playground into raised garden beds, embodying the “make do and turn hands” spirit of the church.
“The gardeners are here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from around 7.30am until 2pm,” Lyn explains.
“The garden is a crucial part of our work, and we use its produce in the kitchen, and also pack it into food parcels for those in need.”
Many of the programs at Hampton Park Uniting Church began with initial grant funding, but they now rely on the dedication of volunteers to continue.
Lyn and others have kept an art therapy program running even after its funding ended.
More than 30 volunteers work in the garden throughout the week, with some initially joining through Work for the Dole and choosing to stay long after finding permanent employment.
Their commitment reflects the deep sense of community that permeates Hampton Park.
However, securing long-term funding remains a concern.
“Our model goes beyond emergency relief, and we offer ongoing support services and work to build relationships with those who come through our doors,” Rev Robert Elkhuizen says.
“Volunteers are always a challenge, but our congregation has a way of finding resources despite being small.
“Still, we need stable funding to hire specialised staff and community support workers.
“Secure funding enables us to expand and sustain these vital programs.”
Despite financial uncertainties, one thing remains unwavering: Hampton Park’s commitment to hospitality.
“What we offer is a welcoming space for people in a fractured community to come together,” Robert says.
“We are open, inclusive, and here to serve.”
Hampton Park Uniting Church welcomes volunteers and donations to support its programs. They are especially seeking help from individuals with grant-writing experience to secure future funding. For more information or to offer support, please contact David Leak on 0408 057 211 or davidleak@bigpond.com
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