School Laundry Program

School Laundry Program Bringing free laundry to schools to reduce barriers to education and improve student wellbeing. Overview How It Works Expressions of Interest FAQ's Access to clean clothes should never be a barrier to education. Orange Sky’s School Laundry Program supports students with access to clean clothes. By providing on-site laundry facilities, the program helps young people succeed by improving attendance, participation and wellbeing, while building practical life skills. "Hygiene poverty plays a significant role in driving better education outcomes for young people." Economic Evaluation Australia; Pinchapoo 2022 According to the research: Students experiencing hygiene poverty miss an average of 13.84 more school days per year and demonstrate significantly lower engagement both in the classroom (93%) and during recreational activities (57%) . This lack of engagement and high absenteeism leads to poorer academic performance for 61% of these students, potentially creating long-term deficits in their learning and future vocational opportunities. Read the report here. Orange Sky’s goal is to ensure that access to clean school uniforms is never a barrier to education and wellbeing outcomes for young people. Which is why we’re excited to make this service available to all Australian schools. We currently have five schools across Australia using this service, and since inception they’ve collectively delivered over 885 washes for students and families. How It Works The Orange Sky School Laundry Program is designed to be simple, reliable and easy for schools to run. Added bonus: it’s totally free! On-site laundry facilities Orange Sky installs free, easy-to-use washing machines and dryers on school grounds, ensuring students can access clean clothes without needing to leave campus. Fully funded and supported Orange Sky covers the full cost of the program, including machines, installation and wrap-around support. Schools don’t need to worry about upfront or ongoing expenses. Orange Sky staff connecting with School Laundry Program champions. Designed for ease The program is delivered in a way that respects students’ privacy and independence. Accessing the laundry is straightforward, discreet and built into the school environment. Supporting student wellbeing and learning Clean clothes can make a real difference to how young people feel at school. By reducing stress and removing barriers to attendance, the program helps students participate more confidently in class and school life. Helping young people build life skills In the School Laundry Program, students can gain practical skills that support independence and confidence. Interested in the School Laundry Program? We are taking expressions of interest from all schools who are interested in participating in the School Laundry Program. School Laundry Expression of Interest Form Have a general enquiry? Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions Why do we need a specific service for young people? With 28% of those accessing specialist homelessness services under the age of 18, it’s vital that Orange Sky brings free laundry directly to young people who need it. Many young people can’t access Orange Sky’s usual services – they’re attending school, don’t have transport or can’t safely move around unaccompanied. How is the School Laundry Program different from our existing services? The School Laundry Program is delivered through an on-campus laundry facility. It is operated by the school staff and community, meaning there are no dedicated shifts and no volunteers. How do schools get involved? Schools can express interest via the form above. We’d love to hear from you! What is required of the school? Schools will need an adequate space for machines and an assigned program manager to liaise with Orange Sky. What support does Orange Sky provide to schools? Orange Sky covers the entire cost of the School Laundry by supplying high-quality machines and wrap-around support. In depth onboarding and training with operating guides, scheduling support and promotional materials are provided to ensure operating the laundry is simple. How does the program build students life skills? Easy to use guides have been created which are placed in the laundry room instructing on how to wash and dry clothes. Orange Sky also provides an online interactive course that instructs students on how to do their laundry (for older students). What you're supporting Remote Communities Free Laundry and Showers Natural Disaster Response Transitional Accommodation Innovation in Trial Young People School Laundry Program