Building Connections & Breaking Isolation

Shockingly, one in seven Australians experience social isolation and over one in six experience loneliness. That’s a 33% percent increase since 2012 with loneliness now declared as a global health epidemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Knowing this, Australians are being encouraged to engage in volunteering as a way to alleviate the impacts of social isolation and make a real difference in the lives of those in the community who are in need.

Orange Sky is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free laundry services and free showers to those experiencing homelessness.

Luke is Mackay’s youngest Orange Sky Volunteer and began volunteering with Orange Sky when he was just eighteen years old with a passion for interacting with people and making others feel heard.

“I always find the best part is talking to them, making them feel heard and just listening to them, and actually treating them as you would anyone else,” Luke said.

“I started because I wanted to help others out but I didn’t realise how much of an effect it would have on me.

William is another young local hero who also volunteers alongside the Orange Sky service with his schools breaky van, and wants to volunteer with Orange Sky once he graduates school.

While volunteering often involves flipping eggs and bacon at the breaky van, William says he loves creating “an immediate, real impact with people.”

“I just love having conversations with people while I cook for them.”

“The breaky van is a great way to get involved in the community and make an impact, and although it may be small there are major benefits and you learn a lot along the way.”

Orange Sky Co-Founder and CEO, Lucas Patchett says volunteering has the ability to bring together people from all walks of life, helping them to develop bonds founded in commonality.

“Our volunteers participated in nearly 90,000 hours of conversation last year – this is 90,000 hours of building bonds and forming tangible, and long-lasting connections.”

For more information, visit orangesky.org.au.

‍

William volunteers with his school breaky van and hopes to continue after he graduates.
‍

Luke began volunteering with Orange Sky when he was just eighteen years old and tries to find time whenever he can between his Uni studies to volunteer at Orangesky. Images supplied.

‍