A new initiative in Castlemaine is providing a free laundry service to people experiencing homelessness and members of the community doing it tough.
The ‘Laundromat of the Future’ service is operated by not-for-profit organisation, Orange Sky, at Sac O Suds Launderette.
Orange Sky provides people experiencing homelessness or doing it tough (whom they call ‘friends’) with access to free laundry services, safe showers and genuine, non-judgmental conversation across Australia and New Zealand.
Usually delivering their services via iconic bright orange mobile vans, their new ‘Laundromat of the Future’ coined service concept sees Orange Sky partner with ‘Sac O Suds’ and other businesses across the country to carry out the same trusted and free service.
Orange Sky co-founder Nicholas Marchesi said they had been looking to support the Castlemaine community for some time.
“We know there is a growing need for support services within the community with 2021 Census data reporting that 40 per cent of renters in Castlemaine are spending more than a third of their household income on rent, which has increased from 11 per cent in 2016,” Nic said.
“There are also many people in Castlemaine who sadly lost work during COVID lockdowns, and they are still really struggling to make ends meet, now more so in the face of rising living costs.”
Laura told the Express it was always a priority for her business to help those who might need a bit of extra support.
“When we heard about Orange Sky and their new service model, we knew it would be perfect for us and for the Castlemaine community, particularly during a time that has been challenging for so many people out there,” she said.
Orange Sky’s ‘Laundromat of the Future’ service in Castlemaine operates one shift per week on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm.
The organisation is encouraging locals who want to help support those in need to head to their website (orangesky.org.au) to sign-up to volunteer at the Thursday sessions.
Castlemaine locals doing it tough are encouraged to head down to the Sac O Suds Laundrette on Thursday afternoons to access Orange Sky’s free services.
