Orange Sky Australia

Orange Sky's collaboration with Set Free Care in Southport is a shining example of community support in action. For years, we’ve worked hand-in-hand to provide practical and emotional support to some of the most vulnerable people in the community. With our pods now on site, the impact of this partnership has grown even stronger. “Since having the pods here at Set Free Care in Southport, the service to some of the most vulnerable people in our community has been invaluable. We appreciate the four teams that come here every week and wouldn’t want one of them to be taken away,” shares one of the Set Free Care team members. "Orange Sky has been a great partner with Set Free Care for many years. Initially we have had the van come twice a week, but with the pods on site the services have increased to three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Orange Sky is a vital service for our guests who come to our hub for meals and showers. The teams are amazing to engage with and the partnership is invaluable to our community." - Edith Kennedy, Director. Together, we’re creating a space where people can feel supported, valued, and connected. A big thank you to Set Free Care and our Gold Coast volunteers who've partnered up to make a difference for those doing it tough. Who knew doing good, whilst rocking orange Crocs, could look this stylish 👟🧡

What does homelessness really look like in Australia? While we often think of people sleeping rough or living in cars, many more are experiencing hidden homelessness. For thousands of Australian families, homelessness means living in emergency motels, shelters, or refuges. Some are fleeing domestic violence, while others have been forced out of stable housing by rising rents and the soaring cost of living. 475 families in Brisbane alone are now facing this harsh reality, and countless more around the country need our help. Max is part of Orange Sky’s Pick Up Program, which brings clean laundry and connection to families in crisis motels and refuges. For many, these accommodations don’t have laundry facilities, and families are doing their best under tough conditions. Max often meets single mothers trying to hold it all together, with kids sleeping on couches and limited ways to wash clothes, towels or bedding. These families may be out of sight, but they’re struggling with isolation, loss of stability, and the daily challenge of keeping their clothes clean and fresh. This holiday season, you can give more than just clean laundry. Your gift brings dignity, connection, and hope to families like these, who deserve to feel seen and valued. Please, give a little to help a load this holiday season: https://bit.ly/4fft2WE

Visiting Orange Sky became a necessity for Phil when his washing machine broke down and he was not able to afford to have it fixed or replaced, nor keep up with the expense of visiting the laundromat for every load of washing. Phil finds comfort in knowing that Orange Sky is close by and values the attentiveness, friendliness and supportiveness of our volunteers. He expressed a particular appreciation for our services as he found himself in a similar situation years ago, but without access to shower or laundry services. Over the years, Phil has seen how something as simple as a shower, is a "miracle to some people" and how "a shower and clean clothes to wear... was life changing." Phil shares how grateful he is to have learned about the Orange Sky service, in particular, how the Orange Sky volunteers create a welcoming and caring space. "You can take a lesson from some of the ways Orange Sky volunteers look after people," Phil said. "I think it's one of the best services available in a society that cares about people." "And so that's why I appreciate Orange Sky, because then you can have a chat with them and realise we're all trying to do something. We're all trying to stay as human as possible. And this is just one way of keeping the body and soul together."

Shift spotlight ⭐️ A big warm hello from our team up in Darwin, who have been providing washing, showers and conversations to the community since 2020. The volunteer team, located at the Palmerston Rec Centre, complete an average of 6 washes, and 3 showers plus endless moments of connection on our orange chairs ☀️ 📸 L-R: Wiki, Jacqui, Sandy 📍 Larrakia country

Can you guess where we are headed? Our team farewelled our newest asset, RV18, which has set off to travel over 2,000km across the country, to reach our newest remote location. In Orange Sky tradition, RV18 was sent off with a commemorative tunnel and each team member spraying the van with Sudsy juice! P.S. For those who don't know, Sudsy is Orange Sky's very first van! In the early days, Nic and Lucas would spray each new van with wastewater from Sudsy - and though Sudsy isn't operating anymore, we still like to keep the tradition going by spraying each vehicle with water 😉 Stay tuned - we will be revealing our new service location very soon! 👀

Whether it's through the conversations on our orange chairs or the bonds we share as a team, connection is at the heart of everything we do. Last week, the Orange Sky team came together from across Australia and New Zealand for Team Connection Week – a time to connect, learn and reflect on the incredible impact of our work together in person! We also had the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate Kat from Orange Sky NZ, who was awarded Orange Sky Person of the Year! 🏆👏 Kat’s dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment inspires us all, and we couldn’t be prouder 🧡 Kat reflected on her time at Orange Sky and what this award means to her. "Winning Orange Sky Person of the Year is a deeply humbling and meaningful honour for me as an Orange Sky New Zealand kaimahi. It represents the values of connection, community, and compassion that I strive to bring to my work every day. What I love most about Orange Sky is how we create a space for manaakitanga—offering dignity, support, and human connection to whānau in need. Being part of a team in both Aotearoa and Australia that shares these values and works to make a tangible difference in people's lives across is inspiring." "As the whakataukī says: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.’ ‘What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.’ This recognition reflects not just my efforts but the collective spirit of our kaupapa and the incredible people I am privileged to work alongside." Connection is the driving force of Orange Sky thanks to people like Kat, fostering collaboration, trust, and shared purpose so that as an organisation we are able to walk alongside whānau experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Meet Lisa, a dedicated Team Leader with Orange Sky in Mackay, who takes pride in leading our first laundry pod in the world! Lisa’s team brings more than just fresh clothes to the community—they bring conversation, warmth, and connection. “People know we're here and where to find us,” Lisa says, proud of the unique setup that makes our service so accessible. For Lisa, it’s not only about clean clothes and hygiene but the power of genuine conversation. “The chairs are the big thing about our shifts…it just humanises people,” she shares. "That time in between, while clothes are spinning and drying, brings people together to talk, share, and feel heard." Our volunteers couldn’t make this impact without the incredible generosity of supporters like the Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors Charitable Foundation. Thank you for supporting Orange Sky’s mission in Mackay and helping us continue to strengthen community bonds through connection 🧡

This holiday season, your support provides so much more than just laundry, it keeps families like Paige’s connected and cared for. When we first met Paige, she was 37 weeks pregnant and living in crisis accommodation with her two young kids, doing everything she can to keep them safe and cared for after escaping a violent relationship. Paige has found temporary accommodation, but with no laundry facilities, keeping her kids clothes and bedding clean is a struggle. She used to haul loads of laundry – and her two little ones – to the nearest laundromat, even while heavily pregnant. While we often see people sleeping rough on the streets or in their cars, many more are experiencing hidden homelessness. Families, like Paige's, may be out of sight, but they’re struggling with isolation and the daily challenge of keeping their clothes clean. This reality is what inspired us to launch Orange Sky’s Pick Up Program: a service designed specifically for families in temporary crisis accommodation. Instead of expecting families to come to us, we go to them. Half of our team takes care of the laundry, while the other half stays behind to offer conversation and support – the same compassionate, practical help Orange Sky has always provided, just done a bit differently. Before we started coming to her accommodation, Paige struggled with the financial and physical toll of simply getting laundry done. But now, she says, the Pick Up service has lifted her spirits and renewed her hope. “The kids get so excited when they see the Orange Sky shirts. The volunteers are incredible. Even if I’m in my room, they’ll knock and say hello,” she shares. The visits give her a break from the monotony of motel life and offer her kids the chance to connect with friendly faces like Declan, the Orange Sky volunteer who’s always ready to play and have a laugh with the kids. The fresh, clean laundry is a gift, but it’s the kindness and connection that make the biggest difference. With your support, we can help more families like Paige’s. Please, donate today: https://bit.ly/4fft2WE

In honour of World Kindness Day, we want to share the story of Nicky, which shines a light on the difference that kindness and compassion can make in someone's life. After being given a short notice to vacate her rental property, and with the increase in rental prices, Nicky has struggled to secure a new place to call home. Like many others living in difficult situations, Nicky cannot afford to get every load of washing done at a laundromat. Instead, she finds solace in knowing Orange Sky services are available to her, providing a clean load of laundry each week. Nicky’s story serves as a reminder of the complex challenges surrounding housing and affordability that impact many Australians everyday. Yet, beyond providing laundry services, Orange Sky volunteers embody the warmth, kindness, and respect that can lift someone's spirits, even if just for a moment. "They need that kindness, and, you know, a smile. A bit of love goes such a long way." "I think you can't measure kindness. I mean, it can have a profound effect on a person's day. To have a small bit of kindness in the morning can mean that someone can have a wonderful day because when we smile at one another with genuine warmth and care, it's a wonderful thing." - Nicky, Orange Sky Friend On World Kindness Day, let’s celebrate the profound effect of small acts of kindness that bring light to others. For Nicky and so many others, this kindness offers more than just practical help - it creates a sense of worth and positivity that has a lasting impact.

Last month, we had the pleasure of taking the amazing team at Go-To Skincare Pty Ltd out to our Newtown shift, where they got to experience firsthand the power of connection and the impact of providing showers and laundry to people doing it tough. 🧡 We’re thrilled to announce that Go-To has chosen Orange Sky as their holiday charity partner for 2024! This partnership means that $1 from select holiday gift packs will be donated back to Orange Sky, helping us deliver essential services to those who need it most. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for Australians to shower their loved ones with beautiful gifts while also supporting showers and laundry for others. We are so grateful to Go-To for their support and look forward to the positive impact this will generate for Orange Sky and the communities we serve.