The Orange Sky van has two washing machines and two dryers. Photo: Supplied/Orange Sky
A free laundry, shower and kōrero service for people experiencing homelessness in Hawke's Bay is seeing an increase in demand and calling for more volunteers to help out.
The not-for-profit organisation Orange Sky launched in the region a year ago - and has completed over 1,300 loads of washing and nearly 300 hours of conversations across Napier and Hastings.
Rain, hail or shine, every Tuesday morning you'll find Debbie Hoskins washing clothes and chatting to the people in Napier who don't have anywhere to live.
"With the rising cost of living and the housing situation there are a lot of insecurities and hardships with people, it's making life extra tough for them," she said.
The free service for people living rough is a bright orange van containing two washing machines, two dryers and six chairs that are placed outside while people wait for their clothing.
"A lot of it is listening and having a chat. There is a huge element of trust here, we didn't just bowl up with a van and washing machines and people came flocking to us - it took time for them to trust us with their belongings and what we were doing," Hoskins said.
About 40 volunteers are helping to run the service across Napier and Hastings. Photo: Supplied/Orange Sky
Orange Sky's national coordinator Emah Butler said about 40 volunteers were helping to run the service across Napier and Hastings.
"What we are seeing on the ground is that the demand for services like Orange Sky is growing, that's across the motu, but especially in Napier and Hastings.
"We're really trying to grow to meet that demand and our volunteers are doing this amazing job of finding out where we need to be, where our friends and whanau are, and then looking at how we might be able to go into new areas with new service providers," Butler said.
But it's not just homeless people in need.
She said as people struggled daily with the rising cost of living, there had been a noticeable surge in demand from people who had places to live, but were still doing it tough.
"It's not just for our whanau who are experiencing homelessness. We're also seeing an increase with the demand from families as well, people in hardship.
"We are seeing an array of people coming to use our services - from street whanau to the elderly, just anyone at the moment who is finding it tough - we are welcoming anyone," she said.
The Orange Sky van is a free non referral service. Photo: Supplied/Orange Sky
And no referral is needed to access the free service.
"Just turn up with your washing, give us your name, have a seat and a conversation - and we'll be able to support you," Butler said.
The organisation is desperate for more volunteers to sign up so they can expand their services, and Debbie Hoskins said she highly recommended people get involved with Orange Sky Aotearoa.
"It's incredibly rewarding. I've always believed in putting something back into the community you live in... there's a lot of hardship in Hawke's Bay with homelessness," she said.
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