Nacoa shortlisted in three categories at the Helpline Awards 2026
We’re delighted to share that we have been shortlisted in three categories at this year’s Helplines Partnership Awards:
- Lifetime Recognition — Hilary Henriques MBE, Chief Executive
- Impact and Change — Schools Outreach Programme
- Employee of the Year — Liam Tullberg, Volunteer & Communities Manager
It’s a wonderful moment for our whole team, and one that recognises the breadth of what we do, from our Helpline to the work we carry out in schools across the UK.
Recognising our people
Hilary’s shortlisting for Lifetime Recognition honours decades of work founding and leading Nacoa. Since 1990, Hilary has championed the cause of children affected by a parent’s drinking.
Liam’s nomination for Employee of the Year reflects his role in supporting our volunteers and delivering training for professionals.
Recognising our impact
Our Schools Outreach Programme’s shortlisting for Impact and Change is a proud recognition of the work we do to reach children and young people directly.
Funded by Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, our Education Outreach Programme helps teachers and pupils understand parental addiction, break down stigma, and know that support is there for them.
Following last year’s win
This news follows our being named ‘Helpline of the Year 2025’ by the Helplines Partnership, an award that celebrates excellence in helpline support and the dedication and impact of services that make a daily difference in people’s lives.
As Hilary Henriques MBE said last year, “We’ve won several awards in our time. But this one really means the world,” reflecting that Nacoa is, at its heart, a Helpline service.
About the awards
This year’s Helpline Awards saw entries judged across six categories: Helpline of the Year, Employee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Recognition, Wellbeing and Support, and Impact and Change, with two winners in each – one for small charities and one for large.
Finalists were announced in September, with winners to be revealed at the Helplines Partnership’s Annual Conference and Awards in November.
Fingers crossed for a win (or two! Or three!)
