2009: Hilary Henriques

Hilary Henriques believes that every child deserves to live a creative and meaningful life. Which is why 19 years ago she co-founded Nacoa to provide support for young and adult children of alcohol-dependent parents. ‘Sadly,’ she says, ‘when alcoholism is the family secret, children are more likely to experience difficult situations with family violence, neglect and other problems.’

Just how important the charity’s work is was confirmed last year when, following national and local publicity, the number of calls to its helpline shot up by a staggering 106%. More than half of the 37,165 calls came from children aged between 12 and 18: even more shockingly, 4% – nearly 1,500 – came from children younger than eight.

Nacoa estimates that there are 3.7m people in the UK with alcohol-dependent parents, nearly 1m of whom are under the age of 18. The impact can be devastating: figures from helpline callers in 2008 show that around 10% have contemplated suicide, 12% are drinking heavily themselves, 11% are being abused and 11% are suffering from mental illness.

As the child of alcoholic parents, Hilary understands only too well the fearful shadow these children live under. ‘Children deserve to feel safe, secure, healthy and heard,’ she says. ‘Imagine coming home from school and dreading what you might find. Imagine having no friends because you’re too embarrassed to bring them home in case Mum or Dad is drunk. Or worse, imagine living in a home full of fear and having no one to turn to because everyone denies there’s
a problem.’ Someone who appreciates the value of Nacoa’s work is
broadcaster Fergal Keane, the son of an alcoholic. ‘It does the most extraordinary job creating an emotional and spiritual place of safety for those who grow up in alcoholic homes. For those who know the loneliness, the confusion and the pain which can come from being the child of an alcoholic, Nacoa is a vital resource. It tells them they are not alone.’