“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
When most people think about Orange Sky, they picture bright orange vans fitted with washing machines.
After speaking with Nick Marchese on the Change Makers podcast, I realised that is not what Orange Sky is really building.
They are building conversations.
What struck me most was not the technology or the logistics.
It was the story of Jordan, one of the first people to use the service.
After two failed attempts to get the washing machines working, Jordan returned for a third time and trusted two young founders once again.
When the machines finally worked, everyone simply sat down and talked while waiting for the washing to finish.
Nick explained that this moment fundamentally changed Orange Sky’s purpose, shifting the organisation’s focus from improving hygiene to positively connecting communities.
That story made me question how many organisations unintentionally overlook the spaces where real community is formed.
We spend enormous amounts of time designing better services, better events and better programs.
Yet the strongest communities are rarely built because of the service itself.
They are built because people feel seen.
They feel heard.
They feel like they belong.
Nick shared a thought that has stayed with me:
We get sick alone, but we heal together.
It is a reminder that while practical support matters, human connection is often the catalyst for lasting change.
This applies far beyond charities.
Associations, sporting clubs, professional networks and membership organisations all face the same challenge.
Members do not stay because of a membership card.
They stay because of the relationships they build and the conversations they have.
As the late Maya Angelou famously said:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Community builders can learn a simple lesson from Orange Sky:
Do not just design services.
Design opportunities for people to connect.
Ask yourself:
Where do our members naturally have conversations?
Are we creating moments where friendships can form?
Does every interaction leave people feeling valued?
At SixSides, we believe community is not measured by attendance, membership numbers or social media followers.
It is measured by belonging.
Because when people genuinely connect, trust grows.
When trust grows, communities thrive.
Sometimes, all it takes to start that journey is a conversation while waiting for the washing to finish.
Listen to the Change Makers Podcast
Hear the full conversation with Nick Marchese and discover how Orange Sky uses practical support, trust and meaningful conversations to positively connect communities.
If you are passionate about building stronger communities, subscribe to the SixSides Substack for practical insights from the Change Makers podcast.
You can also join our Community Builders Network on Skool, where community leaders share ideas, challenges and practical ways to create a greater sense of belonging.
If you are building a community, we would love to help.
Send us a message, and let’s talk about how you can create more meaningful connections.
