Anchor staff come from all walks of life and bring different perspectives and experiences to our workplace. What unites all Anchor staff is their commitment and passion for providing young people with stability and support to be able to lead thriving and independent lives.
We caught up with Ashley, the newest addition to the Anchor MyLife team. With a deep belief in empowering vulnerable youth and a strong foundation in community support, Ashley brings valuable experience and a fresh perspective to her work with us.
Ashley’s Background
Ashley’s journey into community support is rooted in a decade of experience working in the justice system.
She has strong communication and interpersonal skills, which allow her to grow meaningful connections with clients, families, and community partners alike. Ashley’s experience has equipped her well for being able to support the needs of the young people in the Anchor MyLife Project, and her passion for supporting young people makes her a perfect fit for our Gippsland team.
Building Trust with Young People
For Ashley, trust is the foundation of her work with young people. “Building trust is paramount,” she shares. “It’s essential to be trauma-informed and sensitive to each young person’s unique needs. Communication plays a huge role and can make or break that connection you have with them. Recognising power imbalances and finding ways to make them feel comfortable talking without feeling judged.”
Ashley explains that, as trust builds, she can begin to explore a young person’s strengths, interests, and passions, using these to help them grow.
“It’s a real honour to get to this point and have them place their trust in you. Just having them share their goals with you is a good sign that you are making a good impression on them and they feel that they can open up to you.”
Passion for Social Justice and Advocacy
Ashley’s desire to support vulnerable young people is rooted in her strong belief in social justice. “A range of life experiences led me to this career, where I can help improve outcomes for others,” she explains. “I know what it feels like to be powerless. What drew me to work at Anchor was an opportunity to be an advocate and champion for young people who often don’t have a voice or support system.”
Her previous work exposed her to the profound impacts of intergenerational trauma, fueling her desire to work with young people and support them in changing their life paths. “I’m passionate about helping them find a different direction, to see possibilities beyond what they’ve known,” she adds.
When asked what makes the young people in the Anchor MyLife Project special, Ashley points to their incredible potential, strength, and resilience.
“Many of them come from families affected by justice system involvement or substance misuse. They’re in a unique position to break that cycle and become the first in their family to carve a new path.”
Ashley highlights how meaningful it is to help these young people envision and work toward a different future.
“They embrace the chance to evolve, despite how challenging it can be. It’s rewarding to support them to paint a different picture of what their lives could be.”
