Event

From 8–14 February 2026, #COAWeek2026 will bring together campaigners, parliamentarians, supporters and lived-experience voices to raise the profile of Children of Alcoholics (COAs) across the UK and beyond. It is a week to shine a light nationally and internationally—so that we reach more of the 1 in 5 children living in the UK today with parent(s) who drink too much, and ensure they know they are not alone.

For many COAs, the pain of growing up with parental drinking can be hidden behind closed doors—unspoken, unrecognised, and too often unsupported. COA Week exists to change that. By breaking the silence, we can help children and adults affected by a parent’s drinking to find understanding, connection, and hope.

A powerful culmination hosted in Parliament

This year’s flagship event will be hosted by George Freeman MP, who takes over from Liam Byrne as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Children of Alcoholics.

George Freeman MP has recently been instrumental in bringing the experiences and needs of COAs to the attention of government. We are proud to welcome him as Chair and as a friend of our community—helping to shine a light on children and adults who might otherwise remain lost in silence and pain.

Voices of influence and lived experience

We are honoured to be joined this year by an outstanding group of speakers, united in their commitment to ensuring COAs are seen, heard and supported.

Also speaking are:

• Rt Hon. Jonathan Ashworth
• Tony Adams
• Melina Pone
• Lord Richard Walker OBE, Executive Chair of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, whose funding powers the Nacoa Schools Outreach Project

Together, these voices help amplify the message that COAs deserve visibility, compassion, and practical support—and that real progress happens when people in positions of influence stand alongside those with lived experience.

Celebrating 36 years of Nacoa

COA Week 2026 is especially significant as we celebrate Nacoa’s 36-year anniversary. Over more than three decades, Nacoa has worked tirelessly to ensure COAs are not forgotten—providing life-changing support, raising awareness, and challenging the silence that so often surrounds parental alcohol problems.

Thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey—supporters, volunteers, professionals, funders, partners, and most importantly the COA community—we have helped create something powerful: a growing community of people who are breaking the silence so that we are seen and heard.

Join us for #COAWeek2026

This week is about visibility. It is about connection. It is about ensuring that every child and adult affected by a parent’s drinking knows there is support, and that they matter.

During #COAWeek2026 (8–14 February) we will be sharing stories, raising awareness, building partnerships, and encouraging everyone to take action—because when we speak up together, we can reach more COAs and help change lives.

Let’s keep breaking the silence. Let’s keep building a future where COAs are supported—early, consistently, and with understanding.