PO Box 8204, DERBY, DE1 9NX 01332 345424 or 07961 236833 [email protected]

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

Donate Volunteer

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

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
9 hours ago
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

📰 We're in the news 📰

It's great to see that the media has picked up the story of our 135th anniversary which we're celebrating this year!

Thank you to the likes of Derbyshire Times, Derbyshire Live and Charity Today for supporting us in spreading our news far and wide.

Yes, we're going to be a whopping 135 years old this year and we're celebrating with a fabulous service at Derby Cathedral on June 13 followed by a luxury afternoon tea at Repton School on June 28.

We'd love to hear from previous guests at our centre who would like to come and help us celebrate. It's a year all about stories - past and present.

If you came to stay with us as a child and would be happy to share your story, please do get in touch.

Email us on [email protected]. We'd love to hear your memories. ... See MoreSee Less

📰 Were in the news 📰 Its great to see that the media has picked up the story of our 135th anniversary which were celebrating this year! Thank you to the likes of Derbyshire Times, Derbyshire Live and Charity Today for supporting us in spreading our news far and wide. Yes, were going to be a whopping 135 years old this year and were celebrating with a fabulous service at Derby Cathedral on June 13 followed by a luxury afternoon tea at Repton School on June 28. Wed love to hear from previous guests at our centre who would like to come and help us celebrate. Its a year all about stories - past and present. If you came to stay with us as a child and would be happy to share your story, please do get in touch. Email us on admin@dchc.org.uk. Wed love to hear your memories.
View Comments
  • likes Like love 4
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
3 days ago
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

Kathy’s Song performance goes down a storm!

Last night an event organised as a fundraiser on behalf of the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre saw a capacity turnout of supporters.

The artists ‘Little Red Cars’ were absolutely brilliant, performing their own creation called Kathy’s Song; a mixture of story telling and singing which focused on the life of Paul Simon and his relationship with Kathy from Essex.

Tracing Paul’s rise to stardom and his collaboration with Art Garfunkel the duo effortlessly moved from 1963 to the final piece of the story in 2014.

A truly fantastic evening, a game of heads and tails in the interval, culminating with a raffle at the end.

Thanks to all the local companies that provided such amazing prizes, including:-

The Spa at Breedon Priory
Derby Conference Centre
Derby Uncovered
The Ritz Cinema, Belper
Rollerworld-derby.

Thanks also have to go to Dave at Belper Football Club for providing the perfect venue, and of course to Sue Cook and my wife Alison for all their energy, enthusiasm and effort in making sure this event, the first of its’ kind that we’d run, went swimmingly.

Everyone really did enjoy themselves and as a charity we are so grateful for the funds raised; a staggering £1100! This will go towards helping disadvantaged children of Derbyshire between the ages of 6-11 can enjoy a 5 day break by the sea in Skegness at no cost to their families.

To read more about Cat and Ian take a look at their back story here:-

www.catweatherill.co.uk/backstorymusic/ ... See MoreSee Less

Kathy’s Song performance goes down a storm! Last night an event organised as a fundraiser on behalf of the Derbyshire Childrens Holiday Centre saw a capacity turnout of supporters. The artists ‘Little Red Cars’ were absolutely brilliant, performing their own creation called Kathy’s Song; a mixture of story telling and singing which focused on the life of Paul Simon and his relationship with Kathy from Essex. Tracing Paul’s rise to stardom and his collaboration with Art Garfunkel the duo effortlessly moved from 1963 to the final piece of the story in 2014. A truly fantastic evening, a game of heads and tails in the interval, culminating with a raffle at the end. Thanks to all the local companies that provided such amazing prizes, including:- The Spa at Breedon Priory Derby Conference Centre Derby Uncovered The Ritz Cinema, Belper Rollerworld-derby. Thanks also have to go to Dave at Belper Football Club for providing the perfect venue, and of course to Sue Cook and my wife Alison for all their energy, enthusiasm and effort in making sure this event, the first of its’ kind that we’d run, went swimmingly. Everyone really did enjoy themselves and as a charity we are so grateful for the funds raised; a staggering £1100! This will go towards helping disadvantaged children of Derbyshire between the ages of 6-11 can enjoy a 5 day break by the sea in Skegness at no cost to their families. To read more about Cat and Ian take a look at their back story here:- https://www.catweatherill.co.uk/backstorymusic/Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
View Comments
  • likes Like 5
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

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.

Donate

Contact Us Today

    Some of Our Valued Supporters

    Derby Homes has been a long-time supporter of the Centre, offering vital advice, important renovations and round-the-year assistance. Their most recent work was to help install a new fire sprinkler, while in the last five years they upgraded and renovated the bedrooms and bathrooms. The help they offer us cannot be underestimated and we are extremely grateful for all they do.
    Derby Homes has been a long-time supporter of the Centre, offering vital advice, important renovations and round-the-year assistance. Their most recent work was to help install a new fire sprinkler, while in the last five years they upgraded and renovated the bedrooms and bathrooms. The help they offer us cannot be underestimated and we are extremely grateful for all they do.
    Butlin's in Skegness provide regular trips for the children visiting our Centre, and for decades have worked in close partnership with DCHC. The visits the children go on to Butlin's is aways one of the highlights of their stay with us.
    Butlin's in Skegness provide regular trips for the children visiting our Centre, and for decades have worked in close partnership with DCHC. The visits the children go on to Butlin's is aways one of the highlights of their stay with us.
    Captain Kids Adventure World on Skegness Pier is a fantastic indoor play area which the children spending time at the Centre love visiting. A great place to burn off some energy!
    Captain Kids Adventure World on Skegness Pier is a fantastic indoor play area which the children spending time at the Centre love visiting. A great place to burn off some energy!
    Asda Supercentre in Spondon, Derby, hold regular bucket collections and support us in a number of other initiatives, such as bag packing mornings, helping us raise vital funds.
    Asda Supercentre in Spondon, Derby, hold regular bucket collections and support us in a number of other initiatives, such as bag packing mornings, helping us raise vital funds.
    Rayburn Tours have over 50 years of experience as a family run school travel company. Providing incredible & memorable tailor made school trips abroad. They have been brilliant partners for us, raising vital funds through a range of activities.
    Rayburn Tours have over 50 years of experience as a family run school travel company. Providing incredible & memorable tailor made school trips abroad. They have been brilliant partners for us, raising vital funds through a range of activities.
    Marketing Derby is the city's inward investment agency and a key strategic partner for the charity, helping us keep in touch with local businesses and networks.
    Marketing Derby is the city's inward investment agency and a key strategic partner for the charity, helping us keep in touch with local businesses and networks.
    L.E.A.D IT Services provide managed ICT services, specialising in supporting schools and education establishments. They have designed and provided DCHC with our new website.
    L.E.A.D IT Services provide managed ICT services, specialising in supporting schools and education establishments. They have designed and provided DCHC with our new website.
    Aldi provides the Centre in Skegness with food and assistance on a regular basis.
    Aldi provides the Centre in Skegness with food and assistance on a regular basis.
    Lidl in Skegness provides the Centre with food and assistance throughout the year.
    Lidl in Skegness provides the Centre with food and assistance throughout the year.
    At Pentagon Vauxhall Derby, we offer a full range of aftersales services, including MOTs carried out to manufacturer standards by specialist Vauxhall-trained technicians using genuine Vauxhall parts and approved diagnostic equipment.
    At Pentagon Vauxhall Derby, we offer a full range of aftersales services, including MOTs carried out to manufacturer standards by specialist Vauxhall-trained technicians using genuine Vauxhall parts and approved diagnostic equipment.
    Co-Treetment specialise in planting trees and the creation of local woodland spaces. Providing carbon capture for clients, along with remembrance trees and natural habitats for wildlife to thrive, including bees. Co-Treetment have partnered with Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre combining their passion for carbon capture and off-setting with a desire to support a local charity whose work remains very close to their hearts. For each DCHC tree purchased a donation is given directly to the charity.
    Co-Treetment specialise in planting trees and the creation of local woodland spaces. Providing carbon capture for clients, along with remembrance trees and natural habitats for wildlife to thrive, including bees. Co-Treetment have partnered with Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre combining their passion for carbon capture and off-setting with a desire to support a local charity whose work remains very close to their hearts. For each DCHC tree purchased a donation is given directly to the charity.

    What We Do…

    We provide disadvantaged children from Derbyshire aged between 6 and 11 with a break they might never normally receive.

    Copyright © Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre all rights reserved.