Lesley Lalor

"From Retiree to Community Champion: Leslie's Orange Sky Journey"

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In the heart of Hamilton South's social housing area, Leslie Lalor's story unfolds as a testament to the transformative power of volunteering. Her journey with Orange Sky not only changed her own life but also became an integral part of her community's fabric.

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Leslie's path to Orange Sky began in a moment of personal transition. "I had reached a stage where I had finished work," she recalls. "My children were adults. My grandchildren had reached the stage. They didn't really want to spend holidays with Gran anymore." It was during this time that Leslie stumbled upon an article about Orange Sky in the Newcastle Herald, sparking a new chapter in her life.

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Her volunteering journey started with driving the Orange Sky van to Port Stephens, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that deepened her involvement. "After COVID, I got more involved," Leslie explains. "I was down at the Swansea shift. Bit by bit, things happened. People resigned. And yeah, now I'm a team leader here."

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Leslie's shift in Hamilton South serves a unique community. "We're in a social housing area here at the community hall," she describes. "It's what I would call a fractured society. It's a little bit... there's lots of issues in here, but there's lots of beautiful people as well." This environment provides a backdrop for the powerful connections formed through Orange Sky's services.

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One of the most profound aspects of Leslie's experience has been the relationships formed with the "friends" who use Orange Sky's services. She speaks fondly of Julie and Bob, regular visitors to the shift. "Julie, in particular, loves us being here. It gets her out of her little one-room, confined apartment," Leslie shares, highlighting how Orange Sky provides more than just clean laundry – it offers a lifeline of social connection.

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Leslie's journey with Orange Sky has also been one of personal growth and changing perceptions. "I used to not communicate very well with homeless people. I would feel embarrassed about them and I would sort of kind of walk past," she admits. However, through her experiences, Leslie's perspective has dramatically shifted. "Now I'm up front, I go straight up to them. If I see anybody sitting outside the shops or on the street somewhere, I will either ask them what they would like to eat if I'm going into a shop and buy them something to eat... or I will stop and even sit down beside them and have a yak."

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This transformation in Leslie's approach underscores a crucial insight she gained through her volunteering: the importance of human connection. "The thing he struggled with most is the sense of social isolation, that people wouldn't talk to him," Leslie recalls from a conversation with one of the friends. This realization has fueled her commitment to making every interaction count.

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Leslie's story also highlights the reciprocal nature of volunteering. While she provides an invaluable service to her community, she also gains a sense of purpose and continues to learn and grow. "I've had to use my head a lot with the journey with Orange Sky as well," she says, describing her experience with new systems and roles within the organization.

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For those considering volunteering, Leslie's advice is simple yet powerful: "Do it. Just do it. Just come join us." Her journey from retiree to community champion through Orange Sky serves as an inspiring example of how one person's willingness to serve can create ripples of positive change throughout a community.
Leslie's story reminds us that at the heart of services like Orange Sky lies the power of human connection. Through clean laundry, warm conversations, and genuine care, volunteers like Leslie are not just providing a service – they're weaving the fabric of a more compassionate and connected community.