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 £384 funds a holiday for one child. You can do this by 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.
How you can help change a child’s life
- Connect & share with others – follow our journey on social media 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.
Our Story
135 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
For 135 years, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been helping children discover the joy, freedom and wonder of a seaside holiday. Since 1891, thousands of Derbyshire children facing poverty, family difficulties, bereavement, caring responsibilities, disability, or other challenges have been given the opportunity to escape their everyday worries and enjoy a few precious days by the sea.
Today, that mission is just as important as it was 135 years ago.
Why We Need Your Help
Many of the children we support have never had a holiday. Some have never seen the sea. Others are carrying worries that no child should have to face.
A holiday may sound simple, but for a child it can be transformational. A week away means:-
* Making new friends
* Building confidence and independence
* Learning new skills
* Having fun and feeling cared for
* Creating happy memories that last a lifetime
Most importantly, it gives children the chance to simply be children.
“I didn’t want to come home. It was the best week of my life.”
The Difference You Can Make
In 2026, we restarted our holiday programme and children are once again paddling in the sea, building sandcastles, exploring new places and discovering new confidence in themselves.
Every donation to our 135th Anniversary Appeal will help provide free residential holidays for Derbyshire children aged 6–11.
* £5 helps provide treats and activities.
* £15 helps cover food and transport.
* £32 a month can fund an entire holiday place over a year.
* £380 can give one child a complete life-changing holiday.
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate 135 years of service, we are not simply looking back at our history we are building the next chapter.
With your support, we can ensure that many more children experience the magic of the seaside, the kindness of caring adults, and the opportunity to flourish.
Be Part of Our Story
Whether you donate £5 or £500, every gift helps create brighter futures for Derbyshire children.
Please support our 135th Anniversary Appeal today and help us continue changing lives for another 135 years.
Thank you for helping Derbyshire’s children flourish!
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Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters
WHAT A BRILLIANT WAY TO ENHANCE YOUR DONATIONS.
MULTIPLY THE MAGIC x4
Starting today and running for the next 12 weeks you can make 4 times the difference through a wonderful Crowdfunder.
Interested? Then let’s explain about how it works.
Thanks to the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation (MABF), every individual donation made on our Crowdfunder page will be tripled, which means your £10 donation would give £40 to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre or a magic £25 donation generates £100 for our charity. The MABF will continue to do so until it reaches £5000 in donations.
Funding from the “Multiply the Magic: 4x Holiday Fund” will directly support the delivery of free, lifechanging seaside holidays for children across Derbyshire who are facing poverty, trauma, or challenging circumstances.
Specifically, the funding will be used to:
Provide fully funded 5-day residential holidays that will be covering
Accommodation
Food
Activities
Transport to our centre in Skegness from various locations in Derbyshire.
Ensure safe and high-quality care
Supporting trained staff and volunteers to deliver a safe, nurturing environment for every child.
We will deliver our ‘5 Days to Thrive’ programme, which is a structured social and emotional learning programme that builds confidence, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
We will able to provide enriching experiences and activities, including beach trips, creative activities, group challenges, and opportunities many children would not otherwise access.
Cover essential operational costs such as:-
Utilities, insurance, cleaning, laundry, and maintenance required to run each holiday safely and effectively.
Remove financial barriers for families
Ensuring that every place is free at the point of access, so no child misses out due to cost.
By clicking the link below you’ll be taken to the site and also be able to see our newly created video that puts a thousand words into pictures, we hope you like the video.
Thank you for your support; however you can support us we’ll be grateful. ... See MoreSee Less
Multiply the Magic: The 4x Holiday Fund
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
Funds from the “Multiply the Magic: 4x Holiday Fund” will directly support the delivery of free, lifechanging seaside holidays for children.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
☀️ We're all going on a summer holiday! ☀️
Here at the DCHC we're busy this week training up volunteers ready to give busloads of children a brilliant holiday this summer.
Next week our holidays begin again - hurrah!
Lots of children around Derbyshire are looking forward to having a break by the sea they otherwise wouldn't have had.
We're so grateful to everyone who has signed up to be a volunteer with us this year.
For anyone considering volunteering to help children in need of a break - here are some photos of our CEO Janine Marie Holmes and brilliant volunteers getting stuck in - looks fun doesn't it?
We can promise that volunteering with us in whatever capacity will provide you with a splashing time - and will be incredibly rewarding too.
Get in touch today if you can spare us any time - whether that's fundraising, supporting us, or signing up as a volunteer to help run our holidays.
You can reach out by emailing [email protected]
Thanks so much to the very talented Mark Averill from 'AV IT Media for these lovely photos - he's really brought our Skegness holidays to life. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Earlier this month two amazing supporters of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre walked an amazing 102 miles across Derbyshire to help give disadvantaged children the chance of a free holiday by the sea.
Stuart Boon and his friend Xavier Andrews have set themselves this epic challenge because they believe every child deserves the opportunity to laugh, play, make friends and create happy memories.
As a child, Stuart stayed at the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre in Skegness. Like so many children we support today, he came to us for a much-needed break. Decades later, he still talks about the horse riding, the arts and crafts, the fun, the friendships and the memories that have stayed with him ever since.
He simply wants today's children to experience that same feeling.
Their walk was named the "Who Knew?" Walk, highlighting something many people don't realise.
Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre doesn't just support children from Derby. We work with schools and communities right across Derbyshire, helping children facing poverty, bereavement, trauma, caring responsibilities and many other difficult circumstances.
The route took them through many of the towns where children we support live, including Glossop, Buxton, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Belper, Heanor, Ilkeston, Spondon, Derby and Swadlincote.
By design the distance of 102 miles also represents the journey from Derby to our holiday centre in Skegness – a journey that changes young lives every single week throughout the summer.
Once again, Stuart and Xavier have shown extraordinary commitment, tackling this latest challenge during one of the hottest weeks of the year.
So far they’ve raised £1,469 against a fundraising target of £2,000. Every pound raised will help provide free holidays for children who otherwise wouldn't get the opportunity to escape everyday challenges.
Can you help them to meet their target? If you can then your donation could help provide:
A child's transport to the seaside.
Nutritious home-cooked meals throughout their stay.
Activities that build confidence and friendships.
New experiences and memories that can last a lifetime.
A chance for a child to simply enjoy being a child.
No donation is too small. Every contribution moves Stuart and Xavier one step closer to their goal and one step closer to changing another child's life.
Please sponsor them today by visiting:
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon#sharePage
If you're unable to donate, you can still make a huge difference by sharing their fundraising page.
On behalf of everyone at the charity and especially the children whose lives will be changed because of your generosity thank you for supporting Stuart and Xavier on this journey. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🤝Drum roll please - it's time to meet another member of the team! 🤝
This week's spotlight is shining on one of our new holiday activity leaders - meet Eloise Bevan
❓ Why did you get involved with the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre?
I got involved with DCHC because I wanted the opportunity to help create fun and memorable experiences for young people. Currently as a psychology student and a swimming teacher, I enjoy working as part of a team, meeting new people, and encouraging others to get involved in activities, so becoming an activity leader felt like the perfect role for me.
❓What does your role involve?
As an activity leader, my role involves organising and leading activities, making sure everyone feels included, creating a positive atmosphere, and ensuring everyone stays safe while having fun. It’s all about making the best memories over the summer!
❓Best moments?
This is my first time working with DCHC, so I don’t have a favourite moment just yet. However, I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone, seeing people enjoy the activities, and making lots of great memories together over the course of the trip.
❓Best thing about Skegness?
For me, the best thing about Skegness is the seaside atmosphere. There’s always something going on, whether it’s spending time on the beach, enjoying the fresh sea air, or taking part in activities by the coast.
❓Coast or countryside?
Definitely the coast! I love being by the sea, especially because I’m really into watersports. There’s nothing better than being in the water, whether it’s swimming or just enjoying time at the beach - I cannot wait to have a sandcastle competition! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Can people come and look round .I went when a child
Welcome Eloise and a huge thank you as someone who remembers the staff who looked after me as a child at ‘Skeggy Home’ you will certainly help make happy memories that last many years!!
📣 Spotlight on our latest amazing fundraiser ... he's jumping 15,000 feet! 📣
We're blown away that the Mayor of Derby City Council, Cllr Jonathan Smale, will be jumping out of a plane to raise money for us on August 21.
Cllr Smale has pledged his support for our charity during his tenure as mayor.
He will be doing the skydive in aid of ourselves and his other nominated civic charity, the Living Recovery Foundation.
Thank you so much Jonathan!
Here he is talking about why he has chosen to support us at our recent anniversary service in Derby Cathedral.
Living Recovery Roasters
Please do donate to his amazing skydive if you can - link is in the comments 🔽 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cllrjsmale1
It's time to get to know another member of our valued team!
Introducing ... one of our new holiday activity leaders: Cheryl Mooney.
❓ Why did you get involved with the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre?
I love working with children as a coach for East Coast Warriors Cheers and Dance and just wanted to progress and share my knowledge.
❓What is your role?
My role is a seasonal activity leader.
❓Best thing about Skegness?
There is always something to do in Skegness.
❓Coast or countryside?
I live in the countryside but love a visit to coast ❤️
It's great to meet you, Cheryl! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Welcome Cheryl, it’s great to have you on board.
Go Cheryl Mooney 😁 xx