How Orange Sky Laundry Empowers Their People To Continuously Improve Their Service Delivery

In a world where small ideas can spark profound social change, remarkable things can happen—leading to solutions that uplift and empower communities. Recently, Tracey and I spoke with Lucas Patchett OAM about Orange Sky Australia and how they empower their people to continuously improve what they do.

10 years ago, Lucas and his mate Nick had a simple but powerful idea: a van with washing machines and dryers to provide free laundry services for people experiencing homelessness. What started as a grassroots project has grown into Orange Sky, a service impacting communities in multiple ways across Australia and New Zealand.

Driven by a simple but powerful idea, they convinced a company to supply them with washing machines, loaded them into a van and hit the streets of Brisbane to offer free laundry services. Since then, the organisation has grown into a nationwide movement. Today, Orange Sky operates 70 service vehicles weekly, supported by over 3,500 dedicated volunteers. Beyond laundry, the organisation provides showers and, perhaps most importantly, meaningful connections.

Embedding a Culture of Innovation

At the core of Orange Sky's success lies a culture of innovation embedded in the organisation from day one. Their approach is both intuitive and effective: "See or listen, act, and grow."

This continuous cycle of identifying needs, testing solutions, and scaling what works has enabled Orange Sky to continuously adapt and expand its impact. The team’s commitment to innovation is evident in their pursuit of more sustainable solutions, such as integrating solar power to significantly reduce reliance on generators and diesel. By embracing a process of trial and learning, Orange Sky consistently finds smarter, more impactful ways to serve communities and foster human connection.

Empowering People to Make a Difference

A big part of Orange Sky’s success comes from how they support their volunteers and staff, to take initiative and make meaningful contributions. The organisation fosters an environment where creativity is encouraged, and failure is seen as a natural part of the learning process.

Orange Sky has unlocked its entire team's creative and problem-solving potential by cultivating a safe space for experimentation. Volunteers have developed more efficient training methods, while staff members have spearheaded new programs that positively impact the community. Innovation is formally recognised and celebrated through both staff and volunteer awards, with nominations pouring in for ideas both big and small.?

These efforts underscore Orange Sky’s belief in the power of empowered individuals driving positive change.

Adapting to Changing Needs

As the landscape of homelessness and housing insecurity has shifted, Orange Sky has remained nimble, adapting its services to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. For example, Orange Sky has responded to the growing need among people in temporary accommodation, such as motels and hotels. Lucas shared how the organisation has stepped in to provide laundry services for families living in a single motel room with limited facilities.?

Orange Sky has also expanded its services to reach new audiences, like partnering with schools to provide laundry facilities for students whose families are struggling. Which is used as an engagement tool for kids, but also for parents who are disengaged from the school. For at least an hour, they wash and dry their clothes and share conversations together.

The rising cost of living and rental challenges have driven an increase in demand for their services. By staying connected to the pulse of each community and empowering their people to innovate, Orange Sky continues to expand its reach and find meaningful ways to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Their ability to listen and adapt ensures they remain a trusted and impactful presence in the lives of those they support.

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