COVID-19 Updates
Orange Sky, along with our communities, operates in a world that continues to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but what remains the same is our commitment to innovating and supporting our friends on the street.
Our mission to positively connect communities is as important as ever right now; we remain focused on ensuring we can deliver our service to friends and volunteers in safe environments.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions, and should you require any further information, you can get in touch with our team on the details listed below.
Service Partners and Operations
For the most up-to-date information on whether shifts are operating is via the find a shift page. The ‘latest updates’ section below also provides the most recent COVID-19 information for our services across New Zealand.
Orange Sky has put in place a COVID-19 Management Plan in line with public health measures issued by the Ministry of Health to create the safest environment possible with the changing circumstances. We regularly liaise with service provider partners to ensure that the shift environment is as safe as possible.
Keeping the community safe is one of Orange Sky’s highest priorities and we take this seriously as an organisation. We have created a COVID-19 Management Plan consisting of multiple controls to support keeping the community safe. While several of these will be in place for the foreseeable future, other control measures are activated based on the current risk levels. The controls consist of the following:
- Social distancing (2m) and encouraging others to do so as well.
- Face masks are available on shifts and must be worn when mandated by the relevant authority.
- Prioritising vaccinated volunteers on shift when risk levels increase
- If volunteers are unwell and experiencing cold and/or flu-like symptoms, they must not attend shift.
- Hand hygiene is promoted throughout the shift including washing hands regularly with soap and water and/or using the hand sanitiser.
- Increased cleaning during and at the end of shift including touchpoints, orange chairs, tables, door handles, washing baskets etc.
- The use of PPE including disposable gloves, masks, and safety glasses.
We are continuously monitoring the changing COVID-19 environment, and will communicate any further changes in our operations promptly.
Yes, Orange Sky is considered an essential service as part of New Zealand’s COVID-19 response and recovery framework. Alongside other housing and social support providers, we play a critical role in supporting some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable individuals and whānau to stay connected during this difficult time. It is a priority for us to continue supporting our friends and provide our service to those who rely on us.
Using our Service and Shift Information
To keep our community safe, we would appreciate it if you don’t utilise the service whilst experiencing any cold and/or flu like symptoms. We understand this is a hard time for many. Doing what we can to minimise the spread of the virus will ensure that our orange vans can continue to show up each week to deliver free laundry, warm showers and genuine conversation.
It is currently not a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend an Orange Sky shift and access our services. However, we encourage our community to follow the government health advice. During times of increased risks from COVID-19, some services may require volunteers to be vaccinated on shift.
If you’re currently experiencing homelessness, support is available. The Ministry Of Housing and Urban Development has pulled together a list of relevant resources.
The Ministry of Health’s website is the key place to go for information about precautions to take while on shift and at home. There is also a central portal for all information on COVID-19. Healthline has a dedicated COVID-19 number for the public to access – 0800 358 5453. It’s free to call and available 24/7.
Another resource is Āwhina, which is an anonymous website that connects people in need with everything from housing, a meal, financial help, domestic violence support, counselling and more, with thousands of services around the country.
You can also visit Lifeline, who can provide information and advice about managing your mental health during the pandemic, or find a health professional for you to speak to.
Volunteers
Our team works as quickly and transparently as possible with localised teams as soon as new information around COVID-19 requirements, restrictions and lockdowns become available. Where possible, we work hard to ensure that shifts keep operating to ensure we can support our friends.
The Orange Sky operations team communicates with local leadership teams, team leaders and service providers, who will then communicate to all volunteers via your pre-determined WhatsApp group chat as soon as possible about whether a shift will be operating.
After extensive consultation with our volunteer community, we have reviewed and updated our COVID-19 Risk Management Framework to consider how and when vaccinations may be required across each of our service locations. Due to the ongoing risks COVID-19 continues to present in our communities, Orange Sky may choose to prioritise volunteers that are up to date with their vaccinations during times of heightened risk of COVID-19 or as required by government guidelines.
As part of the Orange Sky volunteer onboarding process, you will need to declare if you are up to date with your vaccinations, however, you do not need to provide evidence of vaccination. If you would prefer not to disclose if you are up to date with your vaccinations, simply select ‘no’ when signing up to be an Orange Sky volunteer. Selecting no will not affect your application process, and will not affect your ability to volunteer with Orange Sky, except during times of heightened risk of COVID-19 or as required by government guidelines, where confirmed vaccinated volunteers could be prioritised.
Orange Sky has a responsibility to provide a safe shift environment for friends, volunteers and service provider partners. By understanding the rates of vaccination within our volunteer community, we can make informed decisions when reviewing risk management policies and processes; as well as being able to easily prioritise vaccinated volunteers on shift when required. By declaring if you are up to date with your vaccinations, you will be helping to keep our vans on the road, providing meaningful connection and services to our friends.
The information can also help our team identify shifts or regions that may be at risk of being non-operational if a vaccine mandate is implemented by the government, if not enough vaccinated volunteers are rostered.
Orange Sky volunteer leaders and Orange Sky HQ will be able to see your vaccination declaration response on your profile. However, your status will not affect your ability to volunteer with Orange Sky, except during times of heightened risk of COVID-19 or as required by government guidelines, volunteers who are up to date with their vaccinations could be prioritised.
Whilst it is currently not a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend an Orange Sky shift, it is strongly recommended and vaccinated volunteers may be prioritised on shift. However, if the government mandates vaccines for a specific region, or industry, then it may be a requirement and you will not be able to attend shift.
Service Leaders and Service Coordinators will see which volunteers have completed the optional COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration. Utilising this information, they will attempt to fill each shift by rostering volunteers who have confirmed their vaccination declaration in the first instance. Prioritising vaccinated volunteers ensures that we can support teams to deliver our service to friends in the safest possible environments.
If your vaccination declaration has changed since you signed up with Orange Sky, you can email us at volunteer@orangesky.org.nz with your details and we can update your vaccination status in Volaby.
If you’re feeling unwell, please make sure you stay home and get tested. Please notify your Team Leader as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a shift.
Orange Sky offers a VESP program to all volunteers which provides a free and confidential mental health support service. The program is designed to help you overcome any issues impacting your mental wellbeing related to your time and experience volunteering with Orange Sky. The program allows volunteers to access up to three support sessions per year. You can book a free session via the Portal.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch via our contact us page or by phoning +64 9 887 0566 during business hours.
Volunteer enquiries: volunteer@orangesky.org.nz
Friends accessing our services
To find out if there is a shift near you or access the most up to date information, click the ‘find a shift’ button below or at the top of the page.
Service providers
Latest Updates
Kia Ora Whanau,
It’s been just over three weeks since we made the tough decision to pause our services during Alert Level 4 lockdown. With the entire country (except Auckland) now at Alert Level 2, it’s been great to see all of our Wellington shifts back up and running this week. For anyone looking to use our services in Wellington, please keep an eye on our schedule as some shift times may vary by an hour or so to accomodate new meal times of the service providers we’re working alongside. We hope to have the majority of our Auckland shifts online again once Alert Level 3 is announced. As soon as we know a shift is going ahead, we’ll update the schedule. If you have any further questions on this please get in touch via our contact us page here.
Take Care,
Orange Sky team.
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand, Auckland and Wellington are currently under mandatory, level 4 restrictions. Although Orange Sky remains an essential service, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause all shifts across Auckland and Wellington. We will take this time to ensure that we can support shifts operating in a safe environment for our friends, volunteers and the greater community. Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreak – especially our friends doing it tough. We hope to be back out there operating again soon. If you have any further questions on this please get in touch via our contact us page here.
Socials
Ways to Support
Media Enquiries
Get in touch with our team via the link below.
SUPPORTED BY
COVID - 19 Response
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect families, communities and countries around the world, Orange Sky has been monitoring how best to support the health, safety and well being of our friends, volunteers, supporters and staff.
Orange Sky has a strong and embedded health and safety culture, and we will do all we can to avoid risks that could negatively impact the people in our community. We are currently implementing a measured approach to support as many of our shifts to stay in operation as we can. We will notify of any changes to shifts as required and provide as frequent updates as possible through our channels.
Important information:
1. Orange Sky Headquarters closure:
As COVID-19 continues to challenge our communities, Orange Sky’s leadership team has made the decision to close high risk environments such as HQ for the next 14 days, requesting staff to work from home until Monday, 30 March. We will update our community if any of this information changes.
2. Orange Sky shift delivery:
Volunteers:
If you are a volunteer, we’d encourage you to work with your local teams to assess your shift situation and determine the level of risk for your attendance.
Service providers:
If you are a service provider, please communicate any changes to your service provision or environment that may have consequences for us partnering with you at your location by completing this form
Friends accessing our services:
If you are looking to access our services real time information will be available via our website as to whether services have been cancelled . You can find this at orangesky.org.au/locations
3. Recommended source of information:
For further, specific information on COVID-19, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website or phone Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number on 0800 358 5453.
A special shout out to our friends doing it tough, who might have limited access to services during this difficult time. Stay safe everyone, and please take care of yourselves and each other.
Many thanks,
Orange Sky Australia
SUPPORTED BY
Eddie's Orange Sky Family
I don’t think I will ever be able to fully understand what it’s like to experience homelessness. After hundreds of hours of conversations with our friends on the street, I have never heard the same story twice.
Much of my time is spent trying to tell stories that paint a clear picture of what it feels like to do it tough. Our friends are so gracious with their time and have built up a level of trust in Orange Sky through our amazing volunteers – it is a very good place to be as a storyteller.
The words of our friends give me a good indication of the real service we are providing to people doing it tough. Is it laundry? Or showers? Or connection? Or is it something bigger, more life changing? I might need a few more years until I have all the answers, but I feel like I got pretty close during the four days spent on shift with the amazing Uini family in Auckland.
Family is something that I have heard spoken about each time I visit Orange Sky shifts in New Zealand. Our friends talk about complex relationships that occur within families. In some cases, these relationships are a huge form of support; but when negative circumstances arise, they can be at the root cause of experiences of homelessness.
Which brings me to Eddie, the Uini family and Orange Sky New Zealand. Eddie’s story is very well known across New Zealand. In one sentence for the ‘un-uini-ightened’ (see what I did there), Eddie started Orange Sky’s free mobile laundry and shower service in New Zealand (supported by the team in Australia).
Eddie is the eldest of five children, with a Samoan father and a mother with a mixed heritage from Germany and the United Kingdom. The family all live together in the outer suburbs of Auckland. It is a bustling hub of excitement and at all times of the day, people are coming and going, eating together and supporting each other through words of encouragement (and, when needed, a few sharp words for the young ‘uns).
It came as no surprise to the family when Eddie started Orange Sky New Zealand. Eddie is a compassionate and gentle person who has spent the first 30 years of his life mentoring and looking after his siblings and anyone else he comes across who needs help. I can vouch for an amazing Uini hug when I am feeling a little overwhelmed!
Lesina (28), Elsie (26), Isacc (21) and Nathan (19) are the lucky siblings of Eddie and really admire the big man’s passion for helping other people. Of course, when Eddie asked if they would volunteer for Orange Sky, they said yes…but they were not sure what to expect, or even how they felt about the issue of homelessness.
I had the opportunity to sit down with each of Eddie’s siblings and talk about their experience. They all spoke genuinely and candidly about their perceptions of people experiencing homelessness before volunteering for Orange Sky. They had learnt to see people who were ‘down on their luck’ or living on the street as someone else’s problem. There was no motivation to stop, acknowledge the person and maybe even have a chat. This was caused by a mix of fear, not wanting to offer money and not knowing what would come next if they took the simple step of saying hello.
Nathan was very open of his view of people doing it tough.
“I would have walked with my nose at a higher angle and walked past instead of looking and talking with them. [Volunteering] has completely changed my views on homelessness. Playing cards, doing washing, having such a great conversation. It barely feels like I am actually going out to do some voluntary work, it’s like going out and having a game of cards with your mates, only you have a lot of mates now. It just grounds you and humbles you to know all these people at heart.”
All of the siblings have taken to volunteering like ducks to water. They were very open about the fact they probably wouldn’t have made the decision to volunteer if not influenced by Eddie, but now feel strange if they miss a shift and miss their friends.
Elsie puts it best when she says:
“It is so weird that I am actually volunteering for Orange Sky when you think about it. I stay right away from touching my siblings washing and sometimes avoid conversation as I feel like my conversation isn’t interesting enough. But I jumped, and I did it and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
It takes a lot of courage to be open about you past perceptions and admit to negative stereotypes that influenced your behaviour. But the Uini family want to act as a beacon of hope, an example for their community to believe in the power of acknowledgement, conversation and connection for our friends doing it tough.
It was so cool to hear Elsie close her discussion with this very point. Something that I have never heard before, but a powerful reminder of an aspirational existence where everyone feels connected to a community.
“I would really like for Orange Sky not to be such an anomaly and just an everyday thing for everyone to be out here doing everything they can for their fellow Kiwis.
Beyond that I guess, I hope and dream that Orange sky won’t be such a miracle for people and something that is available to everyone.”
The Uini family are united in their support of our friends
SUPPORTED BY
Common Cold, Flu and Coronavirus Update
Flu season can be a particularly hard time of the year for our friends. While we continue to offer free laundry, warm showers and great conversation out on shift, we wanted to take the opportunity to keep you informed with recommended preventions you can take to protect yourself this flu season.
These suggestions are useful to help limit the spread of germs found in the common cold, flu and widely publicised Covid-19 (Coronavirus) currently in the headlines. We don’t want to create alarm, rather we want to ensure that you – our volunteers – are kept informed and can make sensible decisions around your health this flu season.
While we intend for our services to continue operating, if you do feel sick please stay at home and inform your Team Leader. Resting up and consulting your GP is advised.
Tips to help limit the spread of germs
• Remember to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds prior to commencing work or volunteering, after sneezing and coughing, going to the bathroom, or after touching objects that may have been in contact with people exhibiting flu-like symptoms;
• Use hand sanitiser available on shift;
• Wear gloves while on shift and handling any washing or cleaning items.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick;
• If you feel sick, please stay at home, rest up and visit your GP;
• Know the signs of a flu – fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath; and
Be mindful of physical contact with people displaying flu-like symptoms – consider replacing handshakes with the Orange Sky approved fist bump!
• If you have been in, departed from, or transited through mainland China, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days, you should:
Self isolate yourself from others for 14 days from the day you departed China, Iran or South Korea. Feel free to roster yourself back on shift at the conclusion of your 14-day self-isolation period; and
Monitor yourself for symptoms.
For further, specific information on Coronavirus, please read through the link below from the Ministry of Health’s website. You can also phone Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number on 0800 358 5453 for any other guidance as well.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Stay safe this flu season, please do not panic, look out for yourselves and each other and if you have any questions, please contact your Service or Team Leader for guidance and advice.
SUPPORTED BY
Eddie's Orange Sky Family
Eddie's Orange Sky Family
I don’t think I will ever be able to obtain a full understanding of what it is like to experience homelessness.
Much of my time is spent thinking about stories that paint a clear picture of what it feels like to do it tough in our communities. Our friends are so gracious with their time and have built up a level of trust through our amazing volunteers, it is a very good place to be as a storyteller.
The words from our friends give me a very good indication of the real Orange Sky service and we are really providing to people doing it tough. Is it connection, is it a service or…is it something bigger, more life changing? I might have a few more years until I get all those answers but feel like I got pretty close with my four days on shift with the amazing Uini’s in Auckland.
Family is something that I have heard spoken about each time I visit shifts in New Zealand. Our friends talk complex relationships that occur with families. In some cases a huge form of support but also when negative circumstances arise something that can be at the root cause of experiences of homelessness.
Which brings me to Eddie, The Uini’s and Orange Sky New Zealand. Eddie’s story is very well known across New Zealand and in one sentence for the un-uini-ightened (see what I did there), he started the free mobile laundry and shower service in Zealand supported be the host country of Australia.
Eddie is the eldest of five children and has a Samoan father and Mother with a mixed heritage from Germany and the United Kingdom. The family all live together in a big house on the outer suburbs of Auckland. It is a bustling hub of excitement and at all times of the day people are coming and going, eating together and supporting each other through words of encouragement (and, when needed, a few sharp words for the younguns).
Elisi (27), Lesina (24), Isacc (21) and Nathan (19) – I have to check those ages – are the lucky siblings of Eddie and adore the big man’s passion for helping other people. Of course when Eddie asked for them to help through volunteering they said yes…but they were definitely not sure of what to expect or even how they felt about homelessness.
Which brings me to Eddie, The Uini’s and Orange Sky New Zealand. Eddie’s story is very well known across New Zealand and in one sentence for the un-uini-ightened (see what I did there), he started the free mobile laundry and shower service in Zealand supported be the host country of Australia.
Eddie is the eldest of five children and has a Samoan father and Mother with a mixed heritage from Germany and the United Kingdom. The family all live together in a big house on the outer suburbs of Auckland. It is a bustling hub of excitement and at all times of the day people are coming and going, eating together and supporting each other through words of encouragement (and, when needed, a few sharp words for the younguns).
Elisi (27), Lesina (24), Isacc (21) and Nathan (19) – I have to check those ages – are the lucky siblings of Eddie and adore the big man’s passion for helping other people. Of course when Eddie asked for them to help through volunteering they said yes…but they were definitely not sure of what to expect or even how they felt about homelessness.
I had the opportunity to sit down with each one of Eddie’s siblings and talk about their experience. They all spoke genuinely and candidly about their perceptions of people experiencing homelessness before volunteering for Orange Sky. They had learnt to see people in the street down on their luck with view that it was someone else’s problems. People they would see in the street or on their way to University did not have an identity and there was no motivation to stop, acknowledge and maybe even have a chat. A bit of a mix of fear, not wanting to offer money and not knowing what would come next if they took the simple step to say hello.
Nathan was very open of his view of people doing it tough:
…i would have…walked with my nose at a higher angle and walked past instead of looking and talking with them…it (volunteering) has completely changed my views on homelessness…playing cards, doing washing having such a great conversation it barely feels like i am actually going out to some voluntary work, it’s like going out and having a game of cards with your mates, only you have a lot of mates now. It just grounds you and humbles you to know all these people at heart.”
All of the siblings have taken to volunteering like ducks to water. They were very open about not making this decision if not influenced by Eddie but now feel strange if they miss a shift and miss their friends.
Elisi puts it best when she says:
“It is so weird that I am actually volunteering for Orange Sky when you think about it. I stay right away from…touching my siblings washing…and avoid conversation as I feel like my conversation isn’t interesting enough, but i jumped, and did it and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
It takes a lot of courage to be open about you past perceptions and admit to negative stereotypes that influenced your behavior. But the Uini family want to act as a beacon of hope for everyone in the community to believe in the power of acknowledgement, conversation and connection for our friends doing it tough.
It was so cool to hear Elise close her discussion with this very point. Something that I have never heard before but a powerful reminder of an aspirational existence where everyone feels connected to a community.
“I would really like for Orange Sky not to be such an anomaly and just an everyday thing for everyone to be out here doing everything they can for their fellow Kiwis.
Beyond that I guess, hope and dream OS that Orange sky wont be such a miracle for people and something that is available to everyone”
I just realised that in this whole story I have not referenced the impact on our friends, the power of Orange Sky’s service or the outcomes that our friends receive. But, maybe they are one and the same for the people that take time out of their lives to volunteer. To feel connected to something bigger than themselves, to be part of a genuine community and to have amazing conversations!
Elisi puts it best when she says:
“It is so weird that I am actually volunteering for Orange Sky when you think about it. I stay right away from…touching my siblings washing…and avoid conversation as I feel like my conversation isn’t interesting enough, but i jumped, and did it and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
It takes a lot of courage to be open about you past perceptions and admit to negative stereotypes that influenced your behavior. But the Uini family want to act as a beacon of hope for everyone in the community to believe in the power of acknowledgement, conversation and connection for our friends doing it tough.
It was so cool to hear Elise close her discussion with this very point. Something that I have never heard before but a powerful reminder of an aspirational existence where everyone feels connected to a community.
“I would really like for Orange Sky not to be such an anomaly and just an everyday thing for everyone to be out here doing everything they can for their fellow Kiwis.
Beyond that I guess, hope and dream OS that Orange sky wont be such a miracle for people and something that is available to everyone”
I just realised that in this whole story I have not referenced the impact on our friends, the power of Orange Sky’s service or the outcomes that our friends receive. But, maybe they are one and the same for the people that take time out of their lives to volunteer. To feel connected to something bigger than themselves, to be part of a genuine community and to have amazing conversations!
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