Volunteering

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

Volunteer to make a difference and help them know they are not alone.

When alcohol problems are the family secret, people often believe that talking is being disloyal to their parents and try to hide their problems from the outside world.

This can leave children feeling isolated and alone.

Our free, confidential helpline provides information and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.

We are here for children, young people, adults and concerned others and professionals alike.

Calls and emails are answered by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

Volunteers also help in many other ways such as fundraising and events, distributing leaflets and posters, public speaking, talking to the media, admin and IT.

Nacoa is funded entirely by voluntary donations. We simply couldn’t be here without the help of so many wonderful volunteers.

With your help we can continue to provide a lifeline for children who are so often suffering in silence.

“Nacoa offers opportunities to raise awareness of the plight of COAs (Children of Alcoholics) and the charity’s work to support them. These opportunities continue to develop my public speaking skills but are also part of an ongoing process to help me understand how my experiences have shaped me as a person, decades on.”

G, Nacoa volunteer 

Volunteering requirements

Helpline Counsellors must be able to access our Bristol office to volunteer. This is to ensure volunteers are supported by our Helpline Supervisors.  

All other roles can be completed remotely, and we have volunteers throughout the UK.   

Several roles require completion of our four-week online Foundation Training Programme. This provides an opportunity to meet the Nacoa team and gain a deeper understanding of this issue. Sessions include:

• An introduction to Nacoa 
• Understanding alcohol problems 
• The family illness 
• An introduction to safeguarding 
• Listening skills and self-awareness

Everyone taking part in on one of our training programmes is expected to be a member of Nacoa.

Volunteering Roles

Helpline Counsellors

Helpline counsellors staff our free, confidential telephone and email helpline providing information, advice and ongoing support. The helpline provides a space in which callers can work through problems and find ways to feel better. The role can be challenging but immensely rewarding.

Training required: 

• Foundation Training Programme (four weeks over Zoom) 
• In-office induction and mentoring with Nacoa Supervisors 

Helpline Counsellors must be aged 18 or over and an Enhanced DBS Check is required. 

Helpline Researchers

Helpline researchers provide information and support by researching the specific requests or needs of helpline callers, and by sending out information packs. Helpline researchers also assist with other projects such as sending information to schools.

Training required: 

• Foundation Training Programme (four weeks over Zoom) 
• In-office induction and mentoring with Nacoa Supervisors 

Helpline Researchers must be aged 18 or over and an Enhanced DBS Check is required. 

Speakers

Speakers deliver talks for a range of audiences to raise awareness of Nacoa’s services and the effects of parental alcohol problems on children. We provide detailed information, handouts, visual aids, and support. 

• Foundation Training Programme (four weeks over Zoom) 
• Speaker training session (over Zoom) 

Speakers must be aged 18 or over and an Enhanced DBS Check is required. 

I’ve taken part in training for the schools’ outreach project to help facilitate teacher training about the impact of alcohol-related issues on children. I also support Nacoa by handing out leaflets in GP surgeries and community spaces, sharing social media posts, and contributing to their work through writing about my own experiences.  

Emma, Nacoa volunteer 

Message Board Mentor 

The Nacoa Message Boards provide a peer-to-peer space for people to anonymously share their experiences and support one another. All posts are moderated before being published. Message Board Mentors commit to actively participate in the online environment, responding to posts and offering support. 
 
Training required: 

• Message board mentor induction

Events

We need people to help at a range of fundraising and awareness events such as Upfest (The Urban Paint Festival), COA Week (our annual awareness week), flea markets, information stands at conferences etc. We would circulate information about upcoming events and you let us know whether you can help on an event-by-event basis. For more events coming up please see events.

Fundraising

We are always looking for volunteers to organise activities, sponsored events etc. to help raise funds and awareness for Nacoa. This can be done as individuals or in groups across the UK. Nacoa is able to supply sponsorship forms and promotional materials including T-shirts.

Information sharing

We need help to distribute information and raise awareness of our services. If you know somewhere that could display one of our posters or leaflets (GP surgery, school, library, youth club, cafe etc.), please email us and we will happily send materials to you to distribute.

I volunteer for Nacoa because I know firsthand how parental alcohol use can affect children and adult children, and I want to help others feel less alone. Nacoa’s work is vital in giving a voice to children and families impacted by alcohol, and I’m proud to be part of that mission. 

Emma, Nacoa volunteer 

Media

We need volunteers to join our media panel of people who are happy to speak to the media about their experiences of their parents’ drinking (or their own), or their professional or volunteering experiences. This valuable work raises awareness of the problem and helps people realise they are not alone and there is help. We circulate requests for case studies when we receive them and you can choose if you wish to be involved.

Research

We need volunteers to join our research panel and take part in Nacoa-initiated research and projects put forward by other agencies. Research projects contribute to the scientific literature on this topic, increasing understanding of the nature of this problem and what can help. This in turn influences policy and services. Sometimes participation can be done remotely, such as completing an online questionnaire or through a phone interview. The panel consists of people who have been affected by their parents’ drinking (or their own), and those who have not experienced this problem directly. You always have the right to say no to any project.

Sharing experience

We have many personal experiences on our website. Reading experiences of others affected by their parent’s drinking helps people to know they are not alone. If you would like to share your story for others to read, please email volunteering@nacoa.org.uk.

Website

We need help to ensure the information displayed on the site is up-to-date and links are working correctly. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email us.

“Volunteering for Nacoa has been invaluable for me as I have found a supportive community whilst being able to help others. I volunteer on the message boards and have been to talk to schools. I was also able to attend the Scottish Parliament.” 

Ashleigh, Nacoa volunteer