Dunedin

Denise Ives

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone: 027 476 1339
Mobile Phone: 027 476 1339
Email: bfc.denise@gmail.com

Hello! I am one of the Peer Support Programme Administrators for the Dunedin area. I have two grown up children and a granddaughter, and live with my family and our dogs in Macandrew Bay. I qualified with a Diploma in Breastfeeding Counselling from the University of Bedfordshire in the UK and have been working with breastfeeding families in the UK and NZ for over 17 years, and am also a Certified Healing Birth Practitioner. I created The Breast Room in Dunedin which is a registered charity back in 2011, write articles for Kiwiparent magazine and published the book Mamas in Lockdown. Aside from my passion to help families with their feeding questions and concerns, I enjoy learning, trying to play clarinet, reading, knitting and attempting crochet! I'd love for all parents to feel happy about their decisions on how to feed their baby (whatever that choice may look like), and would love them to have the help they need right when they need it, so if you have questions or concerns, before or after your baby is born, then drop me a text or email, or pop in to The Breast Room on a Thursday morning, 10.30am to 12.30pm. My email is denise.ives@thebreastroom.org

Bushie Calvert

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone:
Mobile Phone: 0212604678
Email: bushiepcpa@gmail.com

My name is Bushie Calvert and I am excited to have recently completed the PSPA training through Well South. I trained as a peer supporter in 2011 and have regularly volunteered at The Breast Room since it began and have helped with the management of it since November 2015. I have also visited several families through the antenatal breastfeeding classes and had countless conversations with friends and family about various challenges and joys that arise during a woman’s breastfeeding journey. I am mum to three delightful girls, Stella, Gretel and Lola – all of whom delight and challenge me and keep me on my toes on a regular basis. My husband, Steven and I own Nectar Cafe, the first café to be featured on the BURP app, and any pregnant mum popping in for a coffee or lunch is as likely to have a conversation around breastfeeding with Steven as she is to have a flat white! I am looking forward to training future peer supporters and expanding the support networks for breastfeeding families within Dunedin and North Otago.

Samantha Gittoes

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone: 0223059913
Mobile Phone: 0223059913
Email: sammy_g86@hotmail.com

After my own struggles as a solo mum with breastfeeding my daughter, I'd love to be able to support other mums with their breastfeeding journey.

Sam Richardson

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone: 027 3404 630
Mobile Phone: 027 3404 630
Email: sam.richardson@thebreastroom.org

Hi my name is Sam Richardson and I trained at as a peer breastfeeding supporter in 2018. I am mum to two girls, and we live in Dunedin with my husband and our dog Evie. I was inspired to become a peer supporter after the difficult feeding journey I had with my first daughter, which would have not been so difficult had I had the support and education around breastfeeding that I needed at the time. As well as volunteering at The Breast Room, I am also a volunteer Babywearing Educator for Otepoti Dunedin Carrier Library, and co-librarian at Caversham Toy Library. When I’m not caring for my family or working in the community, I enjoy learning new things, sewing, reading, or a good tv show. I am passionate about supporting families reach their feeding goals whatever they may look like. To contact me you can text 0273404630 or email sam.richardson@thebreastroom.org

Emma Frew-Tobaiwa

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Email: emmafrewtobaiwa@gmail.com

Hello, kia ora, mamukasei, I am Emma Frew-Tobaiwa, wife to Elmo, mother to Marlon & Sahara and an early childhood educator based in Mosgiel, Dunedin. Along with my career in early childhood education and my personal experiences of motherhood, especially an awareness of the importance of nurturing mothers in the 4th trimester and avoiding post natal depletion, I became passionate about holistic wellbeing for mothers and infants in the early years. My husband is from Zimbabwe and my experience of seeing first hand how different motherhood can be approached with a village of support inspired me to become involved in a service that can create similar support for our mothers hear in NZ 💜

Devashini Bottinga

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Email: devashini15@gmail.com

My name is Devashini and I have recently completed my breastfeeding peer supporter training. I live in Dunedin with my husband and 2 year old son. I am Sri Lankan Kiwi and I work part-time as an optometrist. Breastfeeding has been one of the hardest yet most wonderful experiences of my life, and I wouldn't still be breastfeeding without the support of peer supporters. I feel honoured to be able to pass on that support to other mums on their breastfeeding journeys.

Zoe Brook

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Based In: Dunedin

Home Phone:
Mobile Phone: 022 536 5907
Email: zoe.brook@hotmail.com

Hello, my name is Zoe Brook. I was born and raised here in Dunedin and after a few years away overseas am back living here with my partner Cam, our retired greyhound Alfie, cat Celo and two wee girls Jean and Julia. My days are spent working as a clinical tutor at the Dental School, parenting, and trying to bake and eat as much bread as I can. I recently completed my training to be a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter through Well South and am very excited to provide any help I can to families experiencing the turbulence of early parenthood. I know that breastfeeding in particular can bring many joys and challenges and feel passionate about providing non-judgmental, informative support to mothers and families, however their baby is fed.