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.
Facebook Posts
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
SOLD OUT - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT'S GOING TO BE JOINING US FOR OUR
✨Curry Night for a Cause! ✨🍛
At the Himalayan Gurkha for a delicious evening in aid of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre 💚
Sunday 5th October 2025
🕖 7pm
📍 80 Macklin Street, Derby DE1 1LF
Enjoy an authentic curry night, tables of 4 and 6 people, with Nepalese specials served on arrival, and the evenings dishes served on your tables with rice, naan.
You are all helping us raise vital funds to give Derbyshire children seaside holidays and happy memories. 🌊☀️
🎟️Tickets: £20
👉RSVP: [email protected]
Come hungry, leave happy, and make a difference in a child’s life 💕
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE EVENTS - YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED AS WE HAVE MORE IN THE PIPELINE FOR 2025.
#currynight #derbyshire #fundraising #DCHC #community ... See MoreSee Less
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Our CEO Janine Holmes has been on BBC Derby this morning, chatting to presenter Becky Measures about where we're at with our charity and our hopes moving forward.
After a positive meeting with trustees we're hopeful about re-opening next year - but we still need the final £40,000 to be raised to get us over the finish line.
We're so grateful to Derbyshire Live who have been wonderful in campaigning on our behalf - thank you to them for taking us on.
Thank you to each and every person who has been so brilliant in supporting our charity in 2025.
Have a listen to Janine's interview, and if you would like to donate, here's the link:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/comeback2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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My kids love it at skeggness please help 🙏
Let's keep supporting this amazing charity ❤
Huge thanks go to our supporters of the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, we've come along way since the start of our Comeback 2026 appeal, and the end is in sight. I know with the support we have that the £40,000 is well within our grasp, and hearing Janine Holmes this morning was a great way to hear the update on our progress. If you'd like to help us reach our goal, and get us across the line then take a look at our website dchc.org.uk/ and see more about the ways to do so, thank you.
✨ Quizzing for a great cause! ✨
Join us at The Derby Day Break Rotary Club quiz for some stimulating questions, fun and puzzled looking faces for an evening in aid of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre 💚 along with other nominated charities.
📅 Friday 10th October 2025
🕖 7pm
📍 Belper Town Football Club, DE56 1BA
Enjoy a great evening whilst helping us raise vital funds to give Derbyshire children seaside holidays and happy memories. 🌊☀️
🎟️ Tickets: £10 per person, £40 for a table of 4 which includes sandwiches and crisps
👉 RSVP: [email protected] or phone 07812 173955.
Come with knowledge, leave happy, and make a difference in a child’s life 💕
#Derbyshire #Fundraising #DCHC #Community #rotaryclub #derbydaybreak ... See MoreSee Less
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Were you a holiday guest with us in years gone by? We’d love to hear your story! Please get in touch at [email protected]Melanie Jenkinson is urging everyone to support the campaign to save the Derbyshire Children's Holiday centre ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re delighted to be at the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Sustainability & CSR Conference at the University of Derby today!
At Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, our mission is simple but powerful: giving disadvantaged children the chance to enjoy a seaside holiday, build confidence, and make memories that last a lifetime.
🤝 Partnering with us is more than charity – it’s a meaningful CSR opportunity. By working with DCHC, your organisation can:
✔️ Make a tangible difference for children in our region
✔️ Demonstrate real social impact to your staff, customers, and stakeholders
✔️ Align with a trusted Derbyshire charity that has been supporting children since 1891
If you’re here today, come and have a chat with us – we’d love to share how working with us can help you achieve your CSR goals while changing young lives.
📸 Keep an eye out for us at Derby Uni – we’re ready to talk partnerships, impact, and kindness in action.
#CSR #Sustainability #eastmidlandschamber #Derbyshire #CommunityImpact #CorporateSocialResponsibility ... See MoreSee Less
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Saturday 6th September | Mayor of Amber Valley quiz | Charles Hill Community Hub
The Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre are extremely grateful and proud to have been selected by The Mayor of Amber Valley - Cllr Steve Marshall-Clarke as his nominated charity for 2025-2026.
As such the proceeds from the fish and chip supper with a quiz were donated to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre. The event was a great success, a full compliment of quizzers coupled with great food and games, like heads and tails were able to enjoy a fantastic evening.
Bringing the local community together whilst having fun and raising funds, a truly brilliant combination.
The event raised over £680 for the charity, that’s absolutely amazing and will go towards our Comeback 2026 campaign. Thanks go to everyone who attended, again special thanks to Steve for creating the event and to Laura for making it possible. ... See MoreSee Less
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