Nacoa

In the UK, 1 in 5 children are affected by a parent’s drinking. Over 700,000 children live with an alcohol-dependent parent – many of them suffering in silence. But thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between National Association for Children of Alcoholics UK  (Nacoa ) and the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF), a new chapter of support and awareness has begun.

Schools Programme

The Nacoa School Programme is now the largest outreach initiative of its kind in UK history, bringing vital support to children affected by parental alcohol misuse.

With three years of generous funding and strategic support from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF), Nacoa has doubled its capacity to deliver over 100 school presentations and training sessions across the country. IFCF’s long-term commitment to the schools programme has enabled Nacoa to reach thousands of children – raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and providing life-changing support where it’s needed most.

Key facts:

111 schools visited
149,84 pupils received programme

IFCF’s backing has been instrumental in:

  • Expanding Nacoa’s reach to more schools and communities.
  • Updating and enhancing educational materials.
  • Training more volunteers and educators.

This initiative is designed to:

  • Raise awareness of the impact of alcoholism on families.
  • Equip schools with tools and training to support affected children.
  • Break down stigma through open, inclusive dialogue.
  • Build resilience in young people, helping them make healthy choices

Children growing up with alcohol-dependent parents face serious risks:

  • Increased likelihood of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
  • Greater exposure to domestic violence, neglect, and abuse.
  • Academic struggles and a higher chance of developing addiction themselves.

Despite the scale of the issue, support for these children has not been a statutory part of the curriculum in England and Wales. The Nacoa School Programme fills this gap by creating safe, informed environments where children can feel seen, heard, and supported.

Schools programme in action

Check out our video which shows the programme in action – highlighting the powerful impact of open conversations, student engagement, and the importance of creating safe spaces for children affected by a parent’s drinking.

The power in this project is the partnership. When Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation came to us with an idea to collaborate, we quickly came to the same conclusion: more needs to be done to support children of alcoholics in schools.

This is not about swooping in and targeting particular young people, it’s about generating healthy conversation amongst all students and teachers about the impacts of alcohol on individuals and the family. That creates a virtuous cycle which breaks down stigma and will lead to individuals affected feeling seen and knowing that they aren’t alone and that there are ways to protect themselves and feel better.

With Iceland Foods, we are starting on a journey that will change lives of some of the most vulnerable young people you can imagine.

Hilary Henriques MBE

Chief Executive, Nacoa