Volunteer service opens ‘pod’ for Mackay’s vulnerable

Innovative help at hand for some of more than 400 people experiencing homelessness in Mackay.

Orange Sky co-founders Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett. Picture: Supplied

AN INNOVATIVE laundry service for those doing it tough will launch in Mackay next week.

Created by homeless service Orange Sky, the laundry pods house three washers, three dryers and six chairs and can be transported across Australia.

Orange Sky has been trialling the laundry pods in Mackay since October 2017.

In that time, volunteers have provided the community's most vulnerable with about 1200 loads of washing and 3300 hours of conversation.

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The service's co-founder, Nic Marchesi, said he was excited about the opportunity to help even more people in Mackay.

The 2016 census found more than 400 people were experiencing homelessness in Mackay, and that figure is expected to rise due to the effects of COVID-19.

Orange Sky's laundry pod innovation. Picture: Supplied

"We know that the need for our service will continue to grow and we want to be in as many locations as possible to provide free laundry and a place for genuine conversation," Mr Marchesi said.

"Our volunteer team in Mackay have done an incredible job so far and we are excited to see what will be possible with this new initiative."

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has been a supporter of Orange Sky since the launch of a laundry and shower van in 2017.

"This innovation from Orange Sky is being launched here in our district and that is something we welcome and are proud to support," Cr Williamson said.

The pods are an Orange Sky funded service with support from the Jelley Family Foundation.

One of the pods will be on display at Caneland Central from this Thursday, followed by a community launch next week.

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