Orange Sky installs free laundry services in schools across Australia to support struggling students

Homelessness service provider Orange Sky has launched an Australia-first initiative that will support schools across the country; Discussions are underway for six WA schools to be among the first.

Orange Sky has launched a new school laundry program that addresses ongoing concerns about students dropping out due to a lack of clean clothes and uniforms.

The program offers schools across Australia the chance to partner with Orange Sky and install washing machines, dryers and supplies on campus for students to discreetly access for free.

Katie Lavidis, school laundry program leader, said Orange Sky evaluated applications and fully funded the installation once the school was accepted.

“We’re looking at three key areas and it’s more of a readiness assessment to check if the program will work in the school,” he told PerthNow.

“We ask schools, even at their best guess, to determine the amount of need in the school. Then we look at staff capacity and leadership capacity support (for) staff who can help make the program happen.”

“We also look at whether schools have enough space; we are quite flexible about the types of space we use.

“Most schools will be able to find a large enough space, but perhaps there may not be a water inlet or the right electrical outlet for the washing machine, so I tell all my schools to look for the size first and often we can improve the space to make sure it is suitable for laundry.

“Orange Sky funds the machinery, delivery, installation of machinery and materials, and funding is provided for reasonable modifications to the site through the installation of the machinery.”

Ms. Lavidis said her team began planning the program two years ago because young people experience homelessness, hardship and poverty at higher rates than older people.

“We had it on our radar to look into youth services, then we got an email from a school in Victoria saying: ‘we have students who need bathing and we don’t have a way to help them,'” he said.

“We were lucky enough to have some second-hand machines and began piloting and co-designing the program with that school.

“We piloted the program in two schools for 18 months, a Victorian school and a Queensland school. We have recently added four more schools and installed laundries there.”

He said six schools in Western Australia, including three primary schools and three high schools, were currently in the discussion phase and interest was growing.

“It’s open to all types of schools; state schools, independent schools, flexible schools. We’re seeing interest from all types of schools,” Ms Lavidis said.

“Our teachers are seeing increased self-confidence, students learning life skills, increased engagement, as well as greater connections between students and families where both students and families are allowed to come.

“Sometimes that’s the first point of contact to recognize that a family may need support.”

Research conducted by Economic Evaluation Australia in 2022 showed that hygiene-related issues can result in embarrassment, bullying and absenteeism, with students experiencing hygiene poverty missing an average of 13.84 additional school days per year.

These students also participate less in recreational and classroom activities, resulting in 61 percent of them having lower academic performance.

Ms Lavidis said this could create long-term problems for their learning.

“We hear more and more often that students are leaving their school or are embarrassed to come to school because they don’t have a clean uniform or clean clothes,” he said.

“I think it’s really important that every student who wants to participate in education can do so. I would never want the laundromat to get in the way of their education.”

Orange Sky develops an ongoing relationship with each school using the programme, creating an onboarding plan and training schools on how to use and clean the machines.

While schools run the daily schedule and ensure students have access to facilities, they also assist with machine maintenance and ongoing supplies.

“Each school has been amazing. I am always amazed by the support, care and effort each staff member puts in to support their students,” Ms Lavidis said.

“There are some key challenges with schools, space is a big issue. Many schools are interested in the programme, but perhaps they don’t have the space to accommodate the machines.”

“I would love to have the opportunity to help these schools in the future as well.”

He said the most pressing concern was ensuring Australian schools were aware of the new initiative.

“Right now we are just looking for people to spread the word and provide information to schools that may need our support,” he said.

“We know teachers are pressed for time and there is a lot of pressure on schools, and the aim of the program is to make this as simple as possible for teachers.

“Orange Sky does the heavy lifting, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: supporting students.”

Schools in Australia are invited to apply for the program via the Orange Sky website Here.