1891
Established
29
Schools in 2024
368
Holidays in 2024
Welcome to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre
Since 1891, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has given children facing challenging circumstances in their daily lives, the chance to experience something many of us take for granted – a holiday by the sea. We are a small but determined Derbyshire charity with a big impact, built on the belief that every child deserves joy, adventure, and memories to cherish.
Why we do what we do
Too many children in Derbyshire are growing up in poverty or difficult circumstances. Many will never enjoy a holiday, feel sand between their toes, or experience carefree time away from daily struggles. These missed opportunities don’t just take away fun – they limit confidence, wellbeing, and hope for the future.
What we do about it
We provide free, fully supported seaside holidays at our centre in Skegness. Here, children are cared for by our dedicated staff and volunteers, enjoy good food, laughter, trips to the beach, and activities that nurture their confidence, resilience, and friendships. These holidays give children a break from challenges at home and the chance to return happier, more confident, and ready to thrive.
Why we’re needed
For many children, this is their very first holiday. The difference is lasting – they come home with memories, smiles, and a sense that they matter. With rising child poverty, our work is more needed now than ever.
How you can help change a child’s life
Donate – just £380 funds a holiday for one child. Donate using either our ‘Go Fund Me‘ or ‘Just Giving‘ appeal pages
Fundraise – take on a challenge, hold an event, or join one of our campaigns.
Volunteer – give your time at our centre or support us locally. Email: [email protected]
Partner with us – schools, businesses, and community groups can work with us to bring hope to children.
Connect & share with others – Follow our journey on socialmedia as we plan for a brighter future. Share our mission and story to help us raise awareness.
- Share your story – Have you or a close family member visited our Centre for a holiday? Share your story with us – we would love to hear from you! Email us [email protected]Come along and join in – Look at our events page to see what’s going on, where and when, come along, have a chat about what we are up to and how you might be able to help.
Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference in their lives. Every contribution, big or small, creates brighter futures for Derbyshire’s children.
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Join Us in Making a Difference: The Comeback Appeal 2026
For over 130 years, we’ve been offering children the chance to create cherished memories, build confidence, and enjoy the magic of a seaside break. These holidays provide so much more than fun—they offer a vital boost to the well-being of children who need it most. But rising costs have been no secret and so we have taken the decision to pause holidays at our centre in 2025, with the aim of coming back bigger and stronger in 2026.
So the goal of our 'Comeback Appeal' is to raise £75,000 to bring back our life-changing holidays to disadvantaged children in Derbyshire and spread joy and hope to even more children in 2026.
This year, we need your help to make this possible. By contributing to The Comeback Appeal, you’ll be helping us bring sunshine back into the lives of children who might not otherwise experience a holiday.
Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving these children the gift of happiness, hope, and unforgettable memories.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support for this cause that means so much to all of us. Together, we can make 2026 a year to remember for Derbyshire’s children.
Let’s make the comeback stronger than ever.
Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters
📢 Introducing another very special member of our charity family this week. 📢
Meet Michelle Breffitt. As a child Michelle was a guest of ours and has gone on to give so much of her time as a trustee.
Here's what she has to say about her role for the DCHC.
❓ Why did you get involved with the DCHC?
I was a visitor of the centre way back in the late 80s and early 90s. I was nominated by school as being a child who would benefit from the experience. It was called "Skeggy Home" then. Many years later I met some fundraisers at Belper Morrisons and decided to join as a volunteer myself. Now I am a trustee.
❓What does your role involve?
Now I am part of a team that is responsible for setting the strategy and direction of the charity. We oversee the organisation and maintain governance to ensure the charity meets its objectives in helping some of the most disadvantaged children in Derbyshire by providing a break away beside the sea in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment. As someone who has experienced the centre personally I feel I’m able to understand the families and children who benefit from the charity from a different angle. I have been the child who got the chance to see the world through different lens and who enjoyed time just being child away from the day to day challenges at home.
❓Best moments?
Riding a horse for the very first time and as a fundraiser, meeting the wonderful volunteers who are the kindest and most special people in the world.
❓Best thing about Skegness?
The fair it has to be. In fact when we visited for the open day with my own family we took our son to the fair and he had a brilliant time.
❓Coast or countryside?
I do love both to be honest but as a Derby girl who saw the sea with the charity before I actually saw the countryside of Derbyshire I feel my happiest nowadays walking through woodland, kicking up the autumn leaves and looking over the Amber Valley hills, so as there are so many more walks to discover I have to choose countryside for now. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I was a visitor many years ago in the late 60s and 70s and yes called Skeggy Home i am hoping to join as a volunteer myself but now I am back in Derbyshire till March I left Skegness in 2020 I was living on the same street as the Centre hopefully I get to join very soon best wishes to you all keep up the good work x
one of the nicest people on the planet ❤️ the world needs more people like Michelle x
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0 CommentsComment on Facebook
For those that have been following us, you’ll know that last week was a very busy week as two intrepid young men, Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews set off from Derby to walk to Blackpool.
As a trustee, Simon Evans was lucky enough to have been involved as their support during their time on the road. Talking with them a couple of times a day, checking in with them to ensure that they were Ok and to encourage them in their journey.
Why were they doing the walk?
The main reason was to raise funds for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, a charity where Simon has been a trustee for approaching a year now. Stuart as a young person had been to the centre a couple of times and wanted to support it as we look to our Comeback 2026 project.
So far they’ve raised £1762. I’ve included their JustGiving link below if you’d like to donate
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon-xavier-andrews-1
On Saturday Simon drove to Blackpool to collect the two intrepid walkers to bring them home to Derby. Rightly there was a reception for them at the Market Hall in Derby, where an emotional thank you led by Nadine Peatfield was held.
Thank you Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews for everything you’ve done. Here’s to the next planned feat using your feet! I think we’ll plan to do it in less rainy, cold weather in 2026!
Thanks also to the hotels along ththe way for providing free accommodation for the two walkers; the royal oak, chapel-en-le-frith, The Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre and The Holiday Inn Express South in Preston
The Needles Pub ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Well done Stuart and Xavier for your hard work in raising money for this good cause,
Stuart and Xavier complete their walk for charity | 25th October 2025.
The amazing walk by Stuart and Xavier has completed. .
This morning I was delighted to drive up to Blackpool and collect the two of them at 11am from their hotel.
We headed directly home, not walking the 120 miles this time but ferried in luxury via a McDonald’s on the M6 for a well deserved and much needed burger or two!
But that wasn’t an end to their efforts. They arrived in Derby and were whisked to the recently refurbished Market Hall for a welcome home celebration with non other than Nadine Peatfield, Janine Holmes, Michael Copestake and me, Simon Evans.
The reception for Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews was remarkable, not only from their family but also strangers. Stuart’s reflections of the time he spent at the home brought a tear to the eye, coupled with a great overview from Janine, Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre (DCHC) CEO on the overall progress of the charity’s fundraising success.
If you’re in town tonight and see Stuart or Xavier, please shake their hand and have a chat with them. Please feel free to use their QR code that connects to their JustGiving page, and is linked below:-
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon-xavier-andrews-1
Thank you Stuart and Xavier for supporting the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre as we work towards completing our Comeback 2026 appeal.
The Needles Pub ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
They’ve only gone and done it!! 25th October 2025.
After 16 miles or around 35,000 steps of walking yesterday Stuart and Xavier reached their overnight stop in Blackpool.
And this morning at 11am the two intrepid young men were picked up from their hotel in Blackpool and headed directly home, not walking the 120 miles this time but ferried in luxury via a McDonald’s on the M6 for a well deserved and much needed burger or two!
But that wasn’t an end to their efforts. They arrived in Derby and were whisked to the recently refurbished Market Hall for a welcome home celebration with non other than Nadine Peatfield, Janine Holmes, Michael Copestake and Simon Evans
The reception for Stuart and Xavier was remarkable, not only from their family but also strangers. Stuart’s reflections of the time he spent at the home brought a tear to the eye, coupled with a great overview from Janine, DCHC CEO on the overall progress of the charity’s fundraising success.
If you’re in town tonight and see Stuart or Xavier, please shake their hand and have a chat with them. Please feel free to use their QR code that connects to their JustGiving page, and is linked below:-
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon-xavier-andrews-1
Thank you Stuart and Xavier for supporting the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre as we work towards completing our Comeback 2026 appeal.
The Needles Pub ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
They’ve only gone and done it!! 25th October 2025.
After 16 miles or around 35,000 steps of walking yesterday Stuart and Xavier reached their overnight stop in Blackpool.
And this morning at 11am the two intrepid young men were picked up from their hotel in Blackpool and headed directly home, not walking the 120 miles this time but ferried in luxury via a McDonald’s on the M6 for a well deserved and much needed burger or two!
But that wasn’t an end to their efforts. They arrived in Derby and were whisked to the recently refurbished Market Hall for a welcome home celebration with non other than Nadine Peatfield, Janine Holmes, Michael Copestake and Simon Evans
The reception for Stuart and Xavier was remarkable, not only from their family but also strangers. Stuart’s reflections of the time he spent at the home brought a tear to the eye, coupled with a great overview from Janine, DCHC CEO on the overall progress of the charity’s fundraising success.
If you’re in town tonight and see Stuart or Xavier, please shake their hand and have a chat with them. Please feel free to use their QR code that connects to their JustGiving page, and is linked below:-
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon-xavier-andrews-1
Thank you Stuart and Xavier for supporting the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre as we work towards completing our Comeback 2026 appeal.
The Needles Pub ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Fantastic effort, well done !!!