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
We’re recruiting a Holiday Centre Manager
This is a rare opportunity to lead our Skegness centre as we reopen in 2026 and help shape the future of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
For many of the children we support, this isn’t just a holiday – it’s a life-changing experience.
💼 Full-time | 📍 Skegness | 💷 £34–37k
We’re looking for a hands-on, values-driven leader to run the centre, support our team, and make every child’s stay safe, joyful and unforgettable.
Contact [email protected] for further info or apply here 👇 www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/the-derbyshire-children-s-holiday-centre/holiday-centre-manager/1061752
Please share to help us find the right person. ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Mary Angela David Taylor Kerry Paula Lisa Gaughan-Smith Kerry Ann Jennie Roberts @highlight wondering if you might know someone who would be great for this role 👏🏼
What a fantastic opportunity
Bex Vickers you would be amazing xx
After more than 20 incredible years, we’re saying a heartfelt thank you to our Centre Manager, Ali Byerley, as she moves on to pastures new.
Ali has been the heart of our Skegness centre for so long — bringing warmth, care and joy to generations of children. Her impact is truly lasting, and we are so grateful for everything she has given to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
As we look ahead to reopening our holidays in 2026, we are now recruiting a new Centre Manager to help lead our next chapter.
This is not just a management role — it’s a chance to shape experiences, lead people, and change lives.
If you (or someone you know) might be interested, we would love to hear from you.
📩 Initial enquiries: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
🔗 Apply here: bit.ly/4bwjqaO
Please do share with your networks — your recommendation could help us find the right person to carry this work forward.
#CharityJobs #LeadershipOpportunity #MakeADifference #Derbyshire #Skegness #Recruitment ... See MoreSee Less
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
She was the heart and soul of the centre a massive inspiration to all ! Couldn’t have had a better mentor, the achievements, help and support this woman gives will stay with 1000s of children and adults, what an incredible lady!!
This is a massive loss to the centre,not just a manager, a fund raiser,organiser,cook,admin,maintenance operative,good luck with your future Ali ,was a pleasure working for you on Derby Homes works visits
You've done such a fantastic job there , and will have left lots of magical memories to all that visited there , But on to pastures new now xx 💛
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Huge thanks to William and Russ for raising £470.00 with the help of locals and customers at The Three Monkeys in Skegness. What an effort…. Thank you so much!!!! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Fantastic 👏🏼
Well done guys
🏏What an incredible evening at our Devon Malcolm Event held on 5th March!
A huge thank you to Ashbourne Pavilion for hosting us so brilliantly – the perfect setting for such a special night.
To Jimmy Drew from Derbyshire County Cricket Club, thank you for being a fantastic host and for running the auction with such energy and enthusiasm – you helped make the night truly memorable.
To everyone who came along – your support, generosity and great company made the evening what it was. It was wonderful to see so many people come together for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
And most of all, thank you to Devon Malcolm himself. Your honesty, humour and powerful personal journey, alongside those unforgettable cricketing stories, made for a truly entertaining and inspiring evening.
Because of everyone involved, we are absolutely delighted to share that the funds raised will cover the cost of 6 children’s holidays this year!
That’s 6 children given the chance to experience the seaside, build confidence, and create lifelong memories – at £380 per child.
An amazing effort by everyone involved. Thank you. 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Sounds like you all had a great evening, brilliant to see such a great outcome for all the team involved in making this happen.
Now taking bookings for Spring and Summer 2026! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
66th Derby Scout Group - Spondon
Anne Flemming xx
A big thank you to Greg De Mello for supporting Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre tomorrow at the Derby 10K!
Greg is raising money to help give disadvantaged Derbyshire children the chance to experience the joy of a seaside holiday in Skegness. For many of the children we support, a week away means fresh sea air, new friendships, fun activities – and a chance to simply be children.
Every donation, no matter the size, helps us make these life-changing holidays possible.
If you’d like to support Greg and help us give more children a break they will never forget, please consider donating below!
Thank you Greg – and thank you to everyone who supports our work. 💙
#DerbyshireChildrensHolidayCentre #Skegness #ChildrensCharity #MakingMemories #Fundraising ... See MoreSee Less
Greg's fundraiser for Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
www.justgiving.com
Help Greg de Mello raise money to support Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Completing the 10K was a milestone for me and there was a huge sense of achievement however I didn’t expect to be able to raise enough money to fund 2 children to go for a holiday by the sea side this summer. That truly astounded me and humbled me.
Greg De Mello - a fantastic thing to do for our charity, thank you for planning to do this. 👍