Charity (no. 1009143)

Nacoa

"Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking"

Who We Help, Why We Help & the Difference It Makes

1 in 5 children in the UK are affected by their parents' drinking

Alcohol problems often become the family secret, hidden from the outside world. This leaves children isolated and alone with no one to turn to.

Nacoa was founded to address the needs of children growing up in families where one or both parents suffer from alcoholism or a similar addictive problem. This includes children of all ages, many of whose problems only become apparent in adulthood. Together we can give them the chance of a brighter future.

To see how we work and the difference the helpline makes, watch Emma and Lucy's stories here.

"It was all hidden, my mum was the classic secret drinker, the Jekyll and Hyde. What hurt most was that she seemed to love her gin and vodka more than us."

Our Services Are

Free Donation Appreciated

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What We Do

We offer information, advice and support to children of alcohol-dependent parents in the following ways (please click on the green links for further information)

Free Helpline

If you would like to talk to someone, our free confidential helpline is here for you.

  • Information and ongoing support
  • For all ages
  • Phone or email
  • Your call won't show up on a landline bill
  • You can tell us as little or as much as you want
  • There is no need to give us your name

Call now to talk to us: 0800 358 3456 (please see Opening Hours on the right for when the Helpline is available) or Email us on: [email protected]

Children

Help and Advice

Some mums and dads drink too much and it's frightening. You can be a child of an alcoholic at 1 or 101. Whatever your age, it doesn't change the fact that your parent drinks too much, and the problems this brings. You are not alone; there are many children going through similar things. When a parent has a drink problem, it affects the whole family, and can be especially difficult for children. Nacoa is here to help and support you.

Reading the stories of other children who have a mum or dad that drinks too much helps you to know you are not alone.

Information

Nacoa is here for everyone affected by their mum or dad’s drinking. It’s OK to hate the problems drinking can cause, yet love the person who is drinking. If your parent, step-parent, grandparent, or anyone else important to you drinks too much, finding out more about alcohol problems can help you feel better.

Young People

Help and Advice

Do you ever feel ashamed, embarrassed or confused about your parent's drinking? Perhaps you feel different from other people you know? Or you want to know how you can help your parent? When a parent has a drink problem, it affects the whole family, and can be especially difficult for children and young people.  Nacoa is here to help and support you.

Reading experiences of other people affected by their parent’s drinking helps you to know you are not alone.

Information

If you are affected by someone else’s drinking, this page will help you find out more about alcoholism and the effects on the family.

Adults

Help and Advice

There is no lower or upper age limit to be affected by your parent's drinking and sometimes the problems only become apparent in adulthood. You can be affected regardless of whether you are still living with them, whether they are still drinking or even if they are still alive or not. Nacoa is here to help and support you.

Hearing how other people felt as children and as adults can help us make sense of our own experiences. Whilst every family is unique, many families affected by alcohol problems face similar issues.

Information

If you have been affected by someone else’s drinking, this page will help you find out more about alcoholism and the effects on the family.

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Volunteer

Nacoa Volunteering opportunities

We simply couldn’t be here without the help of so many wonderful volunteers. Please click here to see how you can help

Fundraising

Fundraise for us and with your help we can continue to provide a lifeline for children affected by parental alcohol problems. It doesn’t need to be difficult and with a little bit of imagination, it can be really fun too!

Sponsored Events

We are always looking for people to take part in sponsored events from skydiving to marathon running, baking cakes to a sponsored silence. This can be done as individuals or in groups across the UK.

More Ways to Give

Please click here to see different ways you can help us raise funds

Raise Awareness

Help us to raise awareness of the 1 in 5 children in the UK affected by parental alcohol problems.

Share Your Story

If you would like to share your story for other children to read, please email Hilary Henriques. You can write as much or as little as you want and we don’t have to use your real name.

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Documents

To make things simpler, all documents will be loaded inside aDoddle.

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