Nacoa has grown from the hopes and dreams of five people who wanted children living with parental alcoholism to have the help and support we did not have.
The charity was set up in 1990 in response to work at St Joseph’s Centre for Addiction 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.
The Nacoa helpline was set up to empower children with a variety of life skills to help them cope with difficult challenges. The helpline gives children access to help and support without revealing themselves. They can ring and terminate the call when they want. Sometimes they call at the point of crisis and we remain with them on the phone; a kindly voice in what might seem a hostile world. All of our helpline calls and emails are confidential.
Nacoa has four broad aims:
1. To offer information, advice and support to children of alcohol-dependent parents
2. To reach professionals who work with them
3. To raise their profile in the public consciousness
4. To promote research into the problems they face and the prevention of alcoholism developing in this vulnerable group
Opening hours for the helpline are 0800 358 3456 Monday to Saturday 2pm to 7pm or helpline@nacoa.org.uk 12pm to 9pm.
Nacoa are one of our on-site tenants. However, they are a helpline only organisation and do not offer face-to-face support.
