Nacoa Meets with Cara Hunter MLA at Stormont
A step forward for children affected by their parent’s drinking in Northern Ireland and beyond!
This week, Nacoa UK met with Cara Hunter MLA at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. We are delighted to announce that Ms. Hunter has pledged her support to children affected by parental drinking—not only in Northern Ireland but across the wider United Kingdom.
As a long-standing advocate for young people and mental health, Cara Hunter has a deep sympathy for the struggles faced by children growing up in households where one or both parents misuse alcohol. She has committed to raising awareness of these issues in the Northern Irish Parliament and working alongside Nacoa to ensure this vulnerable group is no longer left without a voice.
Nacoa to present at Northern Irish Education committee
Following our meeting, we have been formally invited to present to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee in the coming months. We are proud to accept this invitation and are looking forward to sharing findings and outcomes from our growing schools programme.
Since early 2025, our schools outreach has expanded significantly, reaching over 100,000 students across the UK. This initiative delivers vital education and support for children impacted by parental drinking—helping to reduce stigma, promote resilience, and ensure no child feels alone.
“This meeting marks an important milestone in our mission to raise awareness and advocate for children who are too often overlooked. We’re deeply grateful for Ms. Hunter’s support and the opportunity to share our work with the Education Committee at Stormont. Together, we can make meaningful changes that last a lifetime.”
Nacoa CEO Hilary Henriques MBE
More to come!
We will share updates on our upcoming presentation and ongoing partnership with Cara Hunter MLA as we continue to work toward a future where every child affected by parental drinking is supported, heard, and understood.
For more information about our work and how you can get involved, visit www.nacoa.org.uk.
