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.
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.
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Some of Our Valued Supporters
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🚴 Big shout out to all those signed up for the Cosy Bike & Hike!🚶♂️➡️
A huge thank you from all of us and our friends at Derby Kids' Camp for taking part.
We hope the training is going well and that you're all enjoying this fabulous sunshine.
It's just over two weeks before this fabulous charity day involving a 100-mile bike ride from Derby to Skegness; a 20-mile walk from Derby to Ashbourne and - new for this year - a 13-mile 'Hamble' into the bargain.
Every year this fantastic event raises thousands of pounds.
As you pound and pedal those miles of training, now's the time to get all your friends, colleagues and family behind you and get those fundraising totals rolling in so we can help give as many children holidays as we can.
We're sure lots of people will want to support you as you put the training in and prepare to take part in what is a truly memorable fundraising day for Derbyshire.
Taking part? Have you signed up with a fundraising page yet?
Here's the link to set one up or donate to the main page if you haven't:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/cosy-bike-and-hike-2026
Meanwhile, here are some photos from last year's event to inspire you!
Roll on the Cosy Bike & Hike 2026 on May 16.
We're sure with the help of everyone taking part and all those supporting them with donations, it'll be the best yet! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
📰 We're in the news again! 📰
It's good to see news of a fabulous 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' fundraiser at Great Northern Classics Derby gaining traction in the media.
The event on May 9 will feature some great stuff including:
- An FI simulator
- A train simulator
- A visit - and regular firings up - of the famous Rolls-Royce plc Merlin engine (of Spitfires and Hurricanes fame)
- Giant slot car racing (seriously good fun, and competitive!)
- Breakfasts, pizzas, nachos, hot dogs, sweet treats and drinks
Great to see Derbyshire Times and @harity Today covering the story.
Thanks once again to LEAD I.T Services and Manthorpe Engineering Limited for sponsoring the event.
Here's a picture of the giant slot car racing from last year - who doesn't want to have a go at this?
Link to the coverage in the comments ⬇️ ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
www.charitytoday.co.uk/fundraiser-boosts-childrens-charity-ahead-of-summer-reopening/
Book here for tickets - it's advisable that anyone coming by car books a space in advance: www.greatnorthernclassics.co.uk/planes-trains-automobiles/
I can’t even wait to be there on 9th May and see all the wonderful activities on the fun day.
What a brilliant weekend to be part of – thank you for choosing Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre for your adventure in Skegness. It’s wonderful to see young people making memories, building friendships and celebrating special moments together.
Huge congratulations to the new Scouts on their investiture, and thank you to all the leaders for the time, care and energy you give.
We’d love to welcome more Scout groups, Guides and youth organisations to come and stay with us for affordable residential weekends by the seaside. If your group is looking for a base for adventure, fun and friendship, get in touch with us! [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Littleover | Mrs C’s Tea Cosy | 25th April 2026
This morning I had the pleasure of meeting up with Shelley Karla from Mrs C's Tea Cosy.
They are a local business who follow us on our charity Facebook page, who have generously offered their support in helping with our fundraising efforts.
As a start Shelley has placed one of our fundraising collection tins in the cafe. Shelley has also proposed providing us with raffle prizes for upcoming events like Hot August Night Mickleover.
A local business supporting a local charity, who in turn provide free holidays for disadvantaged children of Derbyshire who otherwise wouldn't get them.
Thanks go to every business that supports us, especially to local businesses and local people, who along with others from around Derbyshire offer their time, support, and money to make a difference.
If we’ve sparked your interest and you’re thinking, ‘heck I’d like to help’ then there is a lot of information available about ways to volunteer and how we’re planning for next year on our website, the links are shown below:-
dchc.org.uk
dchc.org.uk/events/
dchc.org.uk/volunteering/
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more.
Janine Holmes
Simon Evans
Lee Jepson ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
✨ Join us for a very special celebration! ✨
As Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre marks 135 years of changing children’s lives, we’d love you to join us for a fabulous Afternoon Tea Fundraiser at Repton on Sunday 28th June at 2pm.
Enjoy:
A glass of fizz on arrival
Delicious afternoon tea
Entertainment
Raffle
Charity auction hosted by Charles Hanson
Every ticket helps us give disadvantaged children the chance of a happy seaside holiday.
Tickets £35
Book now: derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/e8e531e3
#DerbyshireChildrensHolidayCentre #AfternoonTea #CharityEvent #DerbyshireEvents #SupportChildre ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🏎️ As cars go, it's a Derby classic! 🏎️
Everyone remembers the famous roller boot car that was used to advertise Rollerworld Derby back in the day.
Did you know that this one-off vehicle is being restored at Great Northern Classics Derby?
It's one of the many classic vehicles you can see at the brilliant Planes, Trains & Automobiles event that's being held on May 9 - all profits going to our charity.
Booking in advance is essential if you're coming by car - see link in the comments. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
www.greatnorthernclassics.co.uk/planes-trains-automobiles/
I’ll be there. Looking forward to it 😁