In an era where innovation and social impact go hand in hand, few initiatives have captured hearts and minds like Orange Sky. Founded by Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, this Australian mobile laundry service is transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness, offering them much more than clean clothes.
I was honoured to be able to sit down this week and talk to Nic Marchesi. Nic has wisdom beyond his years. He’s a recipient of 2016 Young Australian of the Year and 2020 Order of Australia Medalist.
Nic and his best mate from high school, Lucas Patchett, came up with the idea of a mobile laundry service when they were just 20 years old. Their passion for helping others led them to convert an old van into a functioning laundry facility. Since its humble beginnings in 2014, Orange Sky has grown exponentially, expanding its fleet of vans and volunteer network, and has become an internationally recognised social enterprise.
But Orange Sky is much, much more than just a mobile laundry service. Cleaning clothes is important, but the main thing that they pride themselves on is connection.
“We had nothing to do when the conversation was on, but to sit down and have a chat. The conversation with Jordan (a person experiencing homelessness) change Lucas’ and my life forever”
Although when they started their objective was to clean clothes for free, Nic and Lucas quickly realised that wasn’t the driving force behind the service. They quickly changed their mission statement to ‘Positively Connecting Communities’. They provide a space for conversation, connection and community.
Through their mobile laundry service, Orange Sky has created a platform for compassion and connection, empowering volunteers and transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Their vision continues to inspire change and drive towards a more inclusive society.
To hear the full conversation, listen to episode 50 of It’s Never About Money
