Appia Douglas
Over a decade on the front line with Connexions, Barnardo's and local councils — then she built a way through for the young people the system was leaving behind.
Why I launched Positive Plugz
"I spent over ten years on the front line — first with Connexions, the government's support service for 13-to-25-year-olds, then with Barnardo's, and across several local authority children's services. My whole career has been in the rooms where decisions get made about young people's lives: the care reviews, the NEET caseloads, the placements that keep breaking down."
"What I saw, year after year, was the same thing. Young people with real potential being written off the moment they hit a wall. Support that was brilliant while it lasted, then vanished overnight. A system that knew how to open a case but not how to keep a door open."
"I built Positive Plugz because I got tired of watching good young people fall through gaps I could see coming. Care leavers and young people labelled 'at risk' don't need saving. They need someone who's been in those rooms, tools that actually work, and a place that treats them like people, not cases. That's what we do. Courses for the stuff nobody teaches you, coaching from people who get it, and a door that stays open."
"We don't turn 'at-risk' young people into something. We remind them of who they already are, and we plug in the support to get there. That's the whole name. Positive Plugz."
In her words
Watch the story, straight from Appia.
What people say
From council members, parents, and the young people we've worked with.
Appia saw my son when the system had stopped looking. Positive Plugz didn't just give him a course, it gave him back his confidence. I'll be honest, I didn't think anything would get through. She did.
Parent of a service user
Mother, East London
Our council has funded a lot of programmes. Positive Plugz is the one that actually turns up for the young people nobody else can reach. Appia understands this because she's spent a decade on the front line with Connexions and Barnardo's, not just studied it.
Councillor
Local Authority Member, Children & Young People
I left care at 17 with nowhere to go and no one to call. Positive Plugz was the first place that treated me like a person, not a case file. Because of Appia and the team, I've got a flat, a job, and people in my corner. I didn't think that was for me.
Former service user
Care leaver, age 21
Plug in with us
Apply for yourself, refer a young person, or explore Life University. Appia started this for people like you.