Spotlight: Tranby Engagement Hub, Perth
How our partnership with Uniting WA became a case study in collaboration
True collaboration isn’t just about sharing a space, it’s about sharing purpose. That’s exactly what has unfolded between Uniting WA and Orange Sky over the past decade.
What began with two weekly volunteer-led shifts in the car park of the Tranby Engagement Hub – including long-term Orange Sky leader Lisa Sprlyan‘s very first shift – has steadily grown into a trusted and enduring partnership. With the ongoing support of volunteers who go above and beyond, as well as partners like Alsco Uniforms and Castledex, the space has evolved into a dedicated indoor laundry hub now supporting hundreds of friends every year.
This journey shows what’s possible when a service partner leads with openness and care, and when volunteers, donors and supporters rally behind a shared mission. Collaboration can spark real change – and at Tranby, it has.
When Uniting WA renovated Tranby Engagement Hub in 2021, they invited us inside, and with Service Coordinator Rita Berry leading the charge alongside Uniting WA, the program launched its first official indoor shift with friend Derek.
Since then, the space has continued to grow, introducing new efficiencies like offsite towel washing through Alsco Uniforms, rapidly expanding from a trial shift to now five days a week (hopefully soon to be seven!), and recently upgrading to commercial-grade machines to deliver faster, more reliable laundry for friends and volunteers alike.
This is the story of how, together, we set up a service inside Tranby Engagement Hub, run by Uniting WA and Orange Sky volunteers, in the heart of Perth.
When dedicated volunteers, kind donations and innovative spirit collides
We were recently gifted new trolley tables, generously donated by Castledex in Perth. But they’re not just any trolley tables – they come from a community going above and beyond to support people doing it tough.
Carefully designed by one of our volunteers, Phuoc, who is also an architect, these tables gave our team a practical and sturdy workspace. They also double as a soft barrier when laundry services becomes busy, helping us meet demand and keep the flow moving smoothly, while staying connected with our friends.
“I’ve been involved at Tranby for nearly 8 years. It has always been a big service, and a hub for people experiencing homelessness – the number of friends attending has been ever increasing.
In the last six months particularly it’s been overwhelming. We could be there all day and still do more!”
– Service Coordinator, Rita
Tranby Engagement Hub is a safe, inclusive space for people sleeping rough across the city. Open seven days a week, it offers meals, showers, and one-on-one support helping people move from crisis toward stable housing. The team also partners with visiting agencies to provide medical care, legal help, counselling and advocacy.
Tranby has always been about creating a safe space where people are welcomed exactly as they are. This ethos aligns perfectly with Orange Sky’s commitment to partnering with organisations built on care and connection.
We feel fortunate to work with incredible organisations like Uniting WA, and we’re working toward having our free laundry services available there all week long.
The success of Tranby has opened the door to even more indoor services across Australia and New Zealand. If you’re interested in bringing an Orange Sky laundry to your community, please reach out.
