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 are 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!
Facebook Posts
Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters
A great evening out that helps children get away!
Join the Mayor of Derby at COSMO for an evening of delicious food, good company and fundraising for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
📅 Thursday 19 November 2026
📍 COSMO Authentic World Kitchen, Derby, DE1 2PA
🕡 Arrive at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm start, finishing at 9pm
🎟️ £25 per person — including an unlimited buffet and bottomless soft drinks!
🎁 Raffle prizes to be won on the night
Every ticket helps us provide free seaside holidays for children across Derby and Derbyshire who need a break — giving them opportunities to build confidence, make friends and create happy memories.
Bring your friends, family or colleagues and make an evening of it. We’d love to see you there!
👉 Book your tickets here:
www.tickettailor.com/events/derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre/2386955
Please share and help us spread the word. Thank you for your support! 💛
#DCHC #Derby #CharityFundraiser #MakingMemories ... See MoreSee Less
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With less than two weeks left before this event, and with 20 tickets only remaining, now is the time to book and reserve your spot at this unusual event.
Link below and full explanation provided as well.
derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/e1dd0a08
Looking forward to seeing you there.Following the success of our Simon and Garfunkel event back in April 2026, we are absolutely delighted to be hosting The Seekers event.
Our talented duo, Backstory will take you on a journey stepping back into the Swinging Sixties combining captivating storytelling, stunning live guitar and glorious harmonies to bring the music and memories of the era vividly to life.
This show features The Seekers, the sparkling harmony group that unexpectedly took the pop world by storm with irresistible hits like Georgy Girl, Morningtown Ride and The Carnival is Over.
Backstory guarantee an evening of pure nostalgia. Smile, reminisce, sing along and relive the soundtrack of your youth!
Places are limited to 85 at £15 per person, to book please use the link here:-
derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/e1dd0a08
WHEN IS IT? | FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2026
WHERE IS IT? | RAYGAR STADIUM BELPER FOOTBALL STADIUM
WHAT TIME IS IT? | 7PM UNTIL 11PM
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? | £15.00 PER TICKET
On the night there'll be a charity raffle, so please bring £5 for the raffle (like last time we will have an envelope for each person on the table to pop money in). We’d likely also do Heads and Tails as well, depending on time etc.
A truly wonderful evening awaits and whilst you have fun you’re helping to raise funds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre in Skegness. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks to everyone at the Derby Market Hall over the Halloween weekend.
Yesterday, 31st October and today 1st November saw a two-day festival celebrating Derby's status as the most haunted city in the UK, where ghostly tales, mysterious legends and spine-tingling experiences await around every corner.
The Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre were invited to come along and have a presence at the event, where we were able to do some fundraising during the weekend.
Huge thanks to David Turner from Derby Uncovered for his support over the weekend, it’s humbling to have such an avid supporter of our charity.
Thanks also go to Doreen’s and Eden, a fabulous haberdashery stall in the hall, for hosting one of our collection tins. This type of fundraising is very much appreciated, and as a charity we’re lucky to have 70 local shopkeepers that host one of our collection tins. If you’d like to become our 71st shop then let us know by contacting [email protected]
It was great to meet Richard Felix again after so many years, thanks for the chat and photograph.
Our final thanks go to Stuart Boon for leading our fundraising efforts this weekend; it takes a team to make these things happen.
Thank you everyone.
@top fans
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
Lee Jepson ... See MoreSee Less
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🍁 It's time for another of our big thank you posts! 🍁
This week we're welcoming some young guests over half term and they have had a brilliant time carving and having free tractor rides courtesy of the generous team at Bells Pumpkin Patch in Boston.
Bells staff have shown our children such kindness this week.
We took our children to this magnificent pumpkin patch in groups over two days and let them know a bit about our charity.
We told them all about how we help by providing holidays for children in need of a break.
The response was amazing.
Not only did they give a tractor ride to all the children.
They also provided all the children with pumpkins and a carving kit to create their best designs!
AND £5 each for all the children to spend in the gift shop.
Kirsty Holmes who's looking after children this week says:
"Every staff member was so so lovely and beyond welcoming it made the whole trip.
"Myself and Kerry both got emotional at the generosity as they couldn’t have been happier to help the kids out."
THANK YOU to everyone at Bells who have made this holiday so special for our guests.
Your generosity hasn't just made their week that bit more extra special.
We know from adults who attended our centre as children that generosity like this really echoes down the years.
Bells - you may have provided memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you so much. Happy pumpkin season! ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Bells Pumpkin Patch - what an amazing thing to do, thank you. The generosity of businesses such as yours makes a huge difference to what disadvantaged children of Derbyshire can experience. Thank you 🙏
Aww thats lovely, how kind of them xx
That good have a great week
A wonderful evening celebrating generosity and community spirit!
A huge thank you to Erewash Rotary for their generous £1,000 donation to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, helping us give more local children the chance to enjoy a seaside holiday and make happy memories.
It was inspiring to hear about the fantastic charities and dedicated volunteers making a difference in our communities. An incredible £18,000 was donated in total last night — a wonderful example of the great work Rotary does!
A special thank you to Paul Burrows for putting DCHC forward. We’re so grateful for your support.
Thank you to everyone at Erewash Rotary for a lovely evening and for helping so many good causes. 👏
#DCHC #ErewashRotary #ThankYou #CommunitySupport ... See MoreSee Less
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🙏 Wow - what a night! 🙏
We're delighted to reveal the grand total for the recent charity black tie dinner held by the The High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Dr Syed Iftikhar at Occasions in Derby.
We can now tell you the evening actually raised a grand total of £14,920!
That's an incredible 39 children's holidays funded for 2027.
It's time for a whole raft of thank yous from us.
Our heartfelt thanks to those who donated auction or raffle prizes:
Chatsworth House, David Nieper Limited, Vaillant UK, Fischer's at Baslow Hall, Morley Hayes.
To the team at Occasions lead by Saleem and Sadiya - thank you.
To Pak Foods for sponsoring the welcome drinks.
Colin Beresford of Covert Bids for the silent auction.
And all those who hosted tables and invited guests.
Lastly - a very special thanks to the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Dr Syed Iftikhar and his wife, Huma, for their support.
You will all be making a lot of children very happy.
THANK YOU. ... See MoreSee Less
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