Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust opens new offices in Timaru

| The Timaru Herald | Rachael Comer |

More than two years after the Timaru-based trust, which works to support Gloriavale leavers, launched a project to transform two 40-foot shipping containers into offices and meeting rooms, the buildings have been officially opened.

The project completion celebration, on Saturday, was also a reflective affair as the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust marked National Day of Reflection for survivors of abuse across New Zealand.

The event also celebrated the progress of leavers and farewelled a much-loved staff member, Janina Kitchen, trust manager Liz Gregory said.

“It was fabulous to see the enjoyment on the kids’ faces as they ran around laughing and playing with friends and family,’’ she said.

About 200 people attended the event which included a barbecue dinner, firepits, fireworks and the many children there enjoyed a bouncy castle and face painting, she said.

The project came about in 2023, after Gregory, and her husband Graham, called for the community’s support.

They had been involved with and hosted leavers from the secluded religious community on the West Coast at their Timaru home and a small portable office, but needed a dedicated space for the work.

Gregory said the pair were blown away by the support of the community, with products and financial support offered by friends, family and businesses.

They now had office space for three staff, a meeting room, a clothing hut, and storage for the furniture they were gifted by members of the community.

“The staff look forward to providing their services to more and more leavers from Gloriavale,’’ she said.

Former Government minister Jo Goodhew and board chairman Al Aitken cut the ribbon to officially open the offices on Saturday, with trustee and former Gloriavale member Rosanna Overcomer the MC for the evening.

Gregory said Overcomer read aloud some of the testimony she shared with the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in They now had office space for three staff, a meeting room, a clothing hut, and storage for the furniture they were gifted by members of the community.

“The staff look forward to providing their services to more and more leavers from Gloriavale,’’ she said.

Former Government minister Jo Goodhew and board chairman Al Aitken cut the ribbon to officially open the offices on Saturday, with trustee and former Gloriavale member Rosanna Overcomer the MC for the evening.

Gregory said Overcomer read aloud some of the testimony she shared with the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse inThey now had office space for three staff, a meeting room, a clothing hut, and storage for the furniture they were gifted by members of the community.

“The staff look forward to providing their services to more and more leavers from Gloriavale,’’ she said.

Former Government minister Jo Goodhew and board chairman Al Aitken cut the ribbon to officially open the offices on Saturday, with trustee and former Gloriavale member Rosanna Overcomer the MC for the evening.

Gregory said Overcomer read aloud some of the testimony she shared with the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Institutions.

“We also heard from former leavers Faithful Disciple, Pearl Valor, Zion Pilgrim and Virginia Courage.

“Their words were a reminder that even though the Government apologised one year ago, there is still urgent work to be done to include faith-based survivors in redress schemes, to prosecute leaders of institutions who enabled and covered up abuse, and to ensure the ongoing safety of the children at Gloriavale.’’

Goodhew spoke about the courage of survivors and she offered an apology, expressing the shame she felt over what was occurring in Gloriavale during her time in office.

The evening also focused on the remarkable progress of survivors and looked ahead to a better future, Gregory said.