This month, we are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Trustees, Kate Tojeiro and Katy Stafford. Both appointments bring their wealth of professional expertise and business experience into the Nacoa fold.
Trustees are elected by the Nacoa membership, and are responsible for making sure Nacoa is doing what it sets out to do. They help make decisions like a ‘board of directors’ and voluntarily provide expertise to help the charity reach out to, inform and help anyone affected by a parent’s drinking and those concerned for their welfare.
Kate Tojeiro is an Executive Coach and Managing Director of X fusion, an Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Consultancy. She works with Global Corporations through to cutting edge start-ups across the world, enabling others to use the power of getting comfortable with discomfort to achieve success in whatever guise that might form.
We spoke with Kate to hear her reasons for joining Nacoa, and her vision for the future for children affected by their parent’s drinking across the UK.
How did you come to be involved with Nacoa?
I was driving along the A14 listening to Liam Byrne MP on the radio talking about his own experiences and difficulties as a child and COA. It brought back such raw experiences of my own that I had to pull over into the services. Having considered what I had heard and hearing about Nacoa, I decided to give them a call to offer my help.
Why do you think it is important to raise awareness for children affected by their parent’s drinking?
The impact on children as youngsters, during their formative years, on their education is immense. The lack of belief and compromised self-belief is through living in a very chaotic environment where emotional stability and support is rare.
How do you think the early intervention of helplines can help those affected?
At its simplest to be able to reach out to someone who will listen unconditionally and understand. And letting a caller know that they are not alone and more importantly that it isn’t their fault.
What could be improved on a national level to help these young people?
Greater awareness of the issues, knowing that a COA will generally present in a way that doesn’t cause concern and thereby difficulties stay under the radar.
What could be improved on a national level to help these young people?
To raise awareness of Nacoa and the impact that parental alcohol problems can have for 1in 5 children.
