Ariana Trueman

Ariana Trueman

A little about me.

What inspired you to become a Support Coordinator?

I started my career as a personal trainer, and I really loved that close one-on-one connection with people and being part of their progress and confidence building. Over time, I realised I wanted to do something where I could make a bigger and more meaningful impact, especially for people navigating more complex life challenges.

That’s what led me into the disability sector and eventually Support Coordination. What I really love about this role is the relationships you build with participants and their families. I genuinely enjoy being someone they can lean on, knowing I’m there to support them through the ups and downs, help problem-solve, and be part of their journey in a real and ongoing way.

How long have you been working in this space, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I’ve been working in the disability sector for over five years now, and I’ve been a Support Coordinator for the past two. I started with a strong focus on psychosocial disability, which gave me a really solid grounding in understanding complexity and system navigation.

What I enjoy most is those “win” moments when things finally start to click for someone. Whether it’s understanding their plan better, getting the right supports in place, or simply seeing their stress ease because things are finally working, that’s the part I find really rewarding.

What types of support services do you specialise in or have experience with?

As a Support Coordinator, I work across a broad range of disability supports. I have a strong background in psychosocial disability and feel confident supporting participants with complex mental health needs and system navigation.

I also have experience exploring and coordinating accommodation pathways such as SIL and ILO, along with connecting participants to a variety of supports including allied health, behaviour support, and community-based services. A big focus for me is making sure supports are practical, well-matched, and actually work in real life for the participant, not just on paper.

Can you tell me about a particularly rewarding or memorable experience you've had while assisting someone?

One that stands out was supporting a participant who had been significantly underfunded and didn’t have a clear understanding of how to navigate the NDIS system.

We started from scratch—gathering reports, building the evidence, and working through what was actually needed. It took time, but we were eventually able to secure a plan that truly reflected their support requirements.

The change since then has been huge. They’re much more supported, more stable, and honestly just thriving compared to where they were before. I have a lot of great stories, but that one really sticks with me because of the difference it made to their everyday life.

What do you believe are the most important qualities for a Support Coordinator to have?

For me, it’s empathy, consistency, and really strong communication. You need to genuinely care about people but also be organised and proactive enough to keep everything moving in a system that can be overwhelming at times.

I also think being approachable is really important—people need to feel comfortable reaching out without hesitation. At the end of the day, it’s about building trust and making sure participants and families feel supported, not just managed.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies or interests you'd like to share?

Outside of work, I’m all about balance and enjoying the simple things. I love beach days, sunshine, and spending quality time with my friends and family. My French Bulldog definitely keeps life interesting too.

I also love travelling and exploring new places whenever I get the chance. I’m always up for an adventure, even if it’s something last minute. I really value downtime as well—just switching off and recharging when I can.

Tell us something we don’t know, but need to know?

One thing you might not know about me is that I’m a qualified personal trainer and I’ve competed in an ICN bodybuilding competition. This experience taught me the power of discipline and resilience, and it’s given me a unique perspective on goal-setting and personal growth, which I bring into the way I support others on their journeys.