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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Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters
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Imagine a beautiful summer afternoon in the stunning surroundings of Repton School… all while helping Derbyshire children experience the joy of a seaside holiday.
As part of our 135th anniversary celebrations, we’d love you to join us for our special Afternoon Tea Fundraiser on Sunday 28th June at 2pm.
🥂 Glass of fizz on arrival
🫖 Luxury afternoon tea
🎶 Entertainment
🎟️ Raffle
🔨 Charity auction hosted by Charles Hanson
Every ticket sold helps us continue providing life-changing holidays for children who need them most.
🎟️ Tickets £35
Book here:
derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/e8e531e3
#DCHC #Derbyshire #CharityEvent #AfternoonTea #SupportChildren ... See MoreSee Less
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☀️ FIRST DAY FUN IN SKEGNESS! ☀️
Today marked a very special moment for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre — our very first holiday back in Skegness since 2024!
After a long (and very warm!) journey in the minibuses, the children arrived safely, unpacked, enjoyed lunch together and then headed straight off to the pier to soak up the seaside atmosphere. 🎡
There was plenty of excitement on the slot machines — with some very lucky winners!
After a busy afternoon, everyone came back “home” for a traditional fish and chip supper (Thank you to The Trawlers Catch!) before settling down with a film and some well-earned chill out time. 🍟🎬
It’s certainly been a hot one… but already a day full of smiles, laughter, new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Here’s to an amazing week ahead! ☀️🏖️ ... See MoreSee Less
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Absolutely delighted these holidays have started again!
Remember when I went about 10 years ago amazing memories made there
Congratulations. Delighted everything is up and running. 👍🤞
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🚴♂️ The miles have been completed 🚶♂️➡️
A huge huge thank you and big congratulations from all of us at the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre for everyone who was involved in the epic COSY Bike and Hike 2026 on May 16.
It was another brilliant event that saw so many people taking part.
We think the smiles on the faces below tell the story of the day and we are so grateful to everyone who organised it all and took part.
Brilliant photos from the team at 'AV IT Media and LEAD I.T Services
The fundraising is still going on and the donations are coming in ... please do consider donating if you can.
The link is in the comments below.
It all helps us and our friends at Derby Kids' Camp provide holidays for children who really need them.
In the meantime, we hope everyone's blisters have gone away, those sore legs have stopped aching and any punctures are fully mended.
And once again, THANK YOU. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
www.justgiving.com/campaign/cosy-bike-and-hike-2026
Wednesday 13th May 2026 | Mayor of Amber Valley Final Council Meeting | Ripley Town Hall
The Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre were 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 Steve's tenure as Mayor came to an end on Wednesday 13th May 2026, we were invited to the Mayor Making ceremony at Ripley Town Hall.
Steve is unique character who, as the Mayor wanted to bring the local community together whilst having fun, serving the area and raising funds, a truly brilliant three way combination.
During his tenure, Steve and the team were able to raise a staggering £10,814.65 which is an absolutely amazing total that will help enormously with the holidays that start again this month. The BIG CHEQUE image below shows Steve Marshall-Clarke with Simon Evans and Janine Holmes.
Our thanks go to everyone who attended the numerous events throughout the year and again special thanks to Steve for creating the events and to Laura for making them work so well.
There's more!
We have provided links to our website along with current activities that are focused on fund raising where you can make donations to help support our wonderful charity:-
COMEBACK APPEAL 2026
www.justgiving.com/campaign/comeback2026?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
COSY BIKE AND HIKE
www.justgiving.com/campaign/cosy-bike-and-hike-2026?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
BOOK HOLIDAYS WITH RIVIERA TRAVEL
When you book a river cruise, yacht cruise or solo holiday, 10% goes to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre – helping give Derbyshire children a life-changing seaside break. 🌊💙
📞 Call 01283 893 550 (mention DCHC)
💻 www.rivieratravel.co.uk/?sourceid=DCHC
Alternatively if you have some spare time and want to be part of a well loved charity and volunteer please send us an email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you.
We hope you'll find time to look into everything we do at the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre using the link provided, thank you.
dchc.org.uk/what-we-do/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Fabulous to see so many walkers taking part in the COSY Bike and Hike 2026 still smiling at mile 18!
Way to go everyone!
Great to see the donations rolling in as well, thank you so much to everyone who made the brilliant event run like clockwork today.
Click here to donate: www.justgiving.com/campaign/cosy-bike-and-hike-2026 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Not far now! Great to see smiling walkers nearly at Ashbourne for the COSY Bike and Hike 2026!
Lovely to see the donations coming in too …
www.justgiving.com/campaign/cosy-bike-and-hike-2026 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook