Ashley Berzins

Team Leader Support Coordination

Team Leader Ashley Berzins proves anything can be achieved at #teampossible

Ashley Berzins is a powerhouse of positivity and passion. Her enthusiasm and drive make the perfect combination at Community Solutions, where she’s supported to do what she does best: build relationships and make possibilities a reality. Our Team Leader - Support Coordination is not only helping to drive our incredible growth, but she’s also building a remarkable career strengthening lives, futures and communities.

A pathway to possibilities

Ashley Berzins is a true people person - and it’s easy to see why. One of five sisters, she grew up travelling from town to town with her family’s carnival ride business, which meant there was no room for shyness!

“Every school holiday, we’d be at a different show or carnival. We had jumping castles, merry-go-rounds, chairplanes, a clown van - it was awesome. My nan and pop owned it. I was one of 26 cousins, and we all travelled as a big family. I got to meet all sorts of people - you can’t be shy at a showground!”

Over the years, Ashley honed her remarkable ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. She also developed a deep desire to assist people in need. Eventually, this drive led her to a career as an Employment Consultant, helping people find pathways to employment.

“I assisted all sorts of people, including people with disabilities. It opened my eyes to the challenges they faced and kickstarted my passion for disability support.”

Ashley’s work introduced her to Community Solutions and our life-enhancing services. An opportunity to join our #teampossible as a Support Coordinator was Ashley’s chance to make an even greater impact.

“At the time, I didn’t have in-depth knowledge of the NDIS, but Community Solutions saw my background in employment and how enthusiastic I was, and they gave me a shot. I’m so glad they did because I fell in love with this work from my first day. I’ve had so many opportunities at Community Solutions. It’s not just another job for me - this is where I want to see my career grow.”

Opportunities to learn and grow

Joining our Rockhampton team in 2020, Ashley’s impact was immediate. She quickly identified areas for growth and expanded the team, which meant we could support more people in the region to navigate their NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) plans and have greater choice and control over their lives.

“For me, it’s all about the participants,” Ashley says. “Being able to give people the support they need and seeing the difference it makes, it’s so rewarding. Some of the people we help have never had anyone to back them. I love being able to fix the struggles they’ve had so they can live their best life.”

Ashley’s career progression has been strong and swift as she’s seized every opportunity to learn and grow. In just two years, she’s gone from Support Coordinator to Senior Support Coordinator to Team Leader - Support Coordination. After relocating to Victoria in 2021, Ashley is now making her vision to expand our Melbourne team a reality.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a more supportive and encouraging team. When I first started in Rockhampton and said to my manager, ‘I think we can grow our services here - we just need to get more people on board,’ my manager said, ‘Great! I love your enthusiasm. Let’s do it!’ It was a challenge, but I had all the support I needed, and any question I had was answered. You’re never boxed in at Community Solutions - if you’re interested in exploring a different area or role, they’ll give you opportunities to take that next step.”

Professional development is a top priority for Ashley, but our clients are at the heart of everything she does. By helping participants understand their NDIS plans and ensuring they get the services and support they need, she helps build their skills, capacity, and independence.

“It’s the little things that can make a big difference. One participant wanted to work with animals, but he faced barriers to employment. So, we organised his Support Worker to take him to volunteer at the RSPCA. He absolutely loves it there - every time I talk to him, I can tell that it’s made such a positive change in his life.”

Good people doing good things

While Ashley works hard to help others live a full life, she gets the support she needs to live life her way, too. She values being part of a close-knit team where she’s recognised for her contribution and empowered to find the right work-life balance.

“We have fun and genuinely take an interest in each other. Community Solutions is very family friendly - they understand if you need to stay at home with a sick child or have an appointment. You’re not just a number here; you’re a person.”

Ashley’s already achieved so much with our #teampossible, and she’s ready for even more growth. We’d love to welcome more good people like Ashley to our team. So, if you’d like to join our mission to help people with a disability thrive, Ashley has the following advice:

“The most important thing is to have empathy and the drive to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s great if you have a background in disability services or the NDIS, but Community Solutions gives you all the training you need. You just need that never-give-up attitude. I have so many plans for what I want to do in Community Solutions. I’m proud to tell people I work here. I’m excited to see where my career takes me.”