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Orange Sky
- Health, Mental Health & Wellbeing
Positively connecting communities
Orange Sky supports people experiencing homelessness or hardship through access to free laundry and shower services, as well the opportunity for regular connection.
We provide a supportive, welcoming and inclusive space for anyone experiencing loneliness or disconnection from the community, with a focus on improving hygiene, health and quality of life.
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Phil’s Story
Phil is known as the resident comedian of his regular Thursday night shift, a father and a brother. "I love telling jokes - it makes me laugh, it makes other people laugh." Since coming to Cairns he's been living in a share house, and struggling to find work. Orange Sky has become a stable part of his week, a community for him to be part of and a place connect with volunteers - even without using the laundry services. "I come to Orange Sky because some people here are really nice to talk to." Yet, despite his cheerful exterior, Phil is the first to admit to his heavier internal reality after going through "a hell of a lot." "I've been struggling with depression for most of my life, through everything that's happened to me." The volunteer team know all Phil's favourite jokes, and genuinely look forward to connecting with him week in, week out. "I'm just so grateful to Orange Sky for doing what they do."
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Shane’s Story
When Shane’s housing costs suddenly increased, what followed wasn’t just the challenge of finding somewhere to sleep, but the loss of the everyday structure that helps life feel manageable. “When you’re suddenly told you don’t have a place to sleep anymore, that transition is catastrophic,” Shane says. “You lose your routine, and when that’s gone, everything changes” Without that routine, even the basics became uncertain. Simple things like knowing where to shower, wash his clothes, or take a moment to pause were no longer guaranteed. “Trying to get basic services like washing or having a shower is very difficult,” he explains. “Sometimes you have to ask a lot of people before you get answers.” In 2025, Shane connected with Orange Sky at Caboolture. He arrived looking for somewhere to shower and wash his clothes, but the experience gave him more than practical support. “They welcomed me with open arms,” Shane says. “I had a shower, got my clothes washed, and I left feeling better. That meant a lot. It still does.” While clean clothes and a warm shower mattered - like we hear time and time again - it was the conversations that made the biggest impression. Sitting down, sharing stories, and being treated like a person helped restore a sense of normality in Shane's day to day. “Time goes quickly because you’re chatting,” Shane explains. “They learn about you, you learn about them. It’s a great two-way thing.” Over time, Shane began to rebuild a sense of structure. Having a reason to show up and a place where he felt welcome made a genuine difference. “If you’ve got a routine and a purpose, everything else becomes easier,” Shane reflects. “You start feeling like yourself again.” For Shane, Orange Sky is now part of that rhythm. A familiar place where he feels respected, connected, and included. “It’s a simple thing, but it’s an important thing,” he says. “It makes you feel part of the community.”
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Cheryll’s Story
“One of the things I've learned is not to be judgemental.” That’s something many of our volunteers discover on their very first Orange Sky shift, because what we do is about so much more than laundry or showers. It’s about positive connection, and making sure people feel seen and heard, without judgement. As Cheryll, a long-term volunteer in Sydney, explains, “I was, I suppose, still a bit standoffish at the start. Not because I wanted to be, but because I didn't know how else to be. In my time now, I have learned that you just relate to people; they don't expect anything other than just being able to chat sometimes.” Those chats, no matter how small, matter deeply. “I think just being able to sit down and have that, you know, sometimes it's just a five-minute chat in between loading or unloading, you see how they engage.” Volunteering has changed Cheryll too. She’s built friendships with people from all walks of life and discovered a real sense of purpose. “You feel very fulfilled, and you feel you've served a purpose. I think that's probably how I'd sum it up – you feel as if you've served a purpose in the couple of hours that you've been there.” Every wash. Every conversation. Every single shift helps create a safe, welcoming space for people who need it most - and for volunteers who want to make a difference too.
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Orange Sky launch in Leichardt, Ipswich
Orange Sky launched a First Nations-led laundry service in Ipswich — and it's exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why this work matters. A laundry service is never just about laundry. It's about showing up consistently, in the right way, with the right people leading. This launch was community-led from the ground up — and the result is a space where people feel seen, supported and part of something bigger. This is what grassroots community work looks like. And for Orange Sky, it's only the beginning.
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Orange Sky’s School Laundry Program
For some young people, something as simple as clean clothes can shape how their entire school day feels. Access to laundry should never be the reason a student misses out on an education. That's why Orange Sky's School Laundry Program brings free washing machines and dryers directly onto school grounds - removing barriers and making support easy to access, right where students already are. Right now, 28% of people (1 in 3) accessing homelessness services in Australia are under the age of 18. When young people experience hygiene challenges, the impact can run deep - from social isolation and bullying to reduced attendance and disengagement in the classroom. Through the School Laundry Program, Orange Sky provides a dedicated laundry space at school. It's a simple solution with a massive impact. **How it works**: Orange Sky install the machines • Free, easy-to-use washing machines and dryers are set up right at school - so students can access clean clothes without leaving campus. It’s fully funded • Orange Sky covers the cost of the machines, installation and ongoing support. There are no upfront or ongoing expenses for schools. It’s designed to be discreet and easy • Access is straightforward, respectful and built into the school environment - supporting students’ independence and privacy. It supports wellbeing and learning • Reducing stress around clean clothes can mean better attendance, stronger participation and more confidence in the classroom. It builds life skills • Students can develop practical skills that support independence now and into the future.
Benjamin Richards3 weeks ago+ $150.00- Benjamin Richards3 weeks ago+ $25.00
