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
Turnditch and Windley Show | September 5th 2026
This was our second appearance at the TURNDITCH AND WINDLEY SHOW, which is undoubtedly a fantastic event. There was so much to see, a great selection of events running through the day including:-
Horse & Pony Classes
Concours
Dog Show
Landrovers & Tractors
Vintage & Classic Vehicles
FTGU Wrestling
Dog & Duck Display
Licensed bar by The Railway Inn
Food & Drink
Crafts & Produce
Sideshows
Uttoxeter Heart of Oak Morris Dancers
Ashbourne Town Band
Children’s amusements
Battle of Britain Memorial Fly-by
NEW Hobby Horse classes
For this event the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre were present with the familiar yellow gazebo, where we ran our 100 square raffle, Plinko and a very popular Teddy Tombola.
In particular we would like to say a huge thanks to the organisers of the event who were very patient with us, really helped out with our star attraction, namely a Rolls Royce car with a very glamorous history and a very proud owner Mike, a volunteer with our charity.
Without doubt having the opportunity to engage with people and inform them about our plans for 2026 and beyond was invaluable.
Was it worth it?
Yes! The weather was unbelievable and the turnout of families, young people and a whole cross section of folks from Derby and beyond. Of course many had prior knowledge of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and it was fantastic to provide updates on where, what, and how we are progressing.
And the great news was that on that day, with the generosity of people, tempted by the 100 square raffle, and Plinko prizes coupled with the charity's focus meant we were able to raise an amazing £445.93 on the day!
Absolutely Amazing! The car proved to be a winning attraction, a lot of people had their pictures taken in the car, a unique opportunity.
And to cap it all we were delighted to see a Hurricane fly past at just after 3.30pm. What a fantastic finale it was.
As you can see from our Facebook we have a lot going on. If we’ve captured your imagination and you’d like to know more then please visit our website to learn more about what they do and how you can help; donations are always welcome, along with volunteers to help in fundraising. On the day we had Alison, Simon, Fae, Jim, Mike and Cilla (plus pals), all were brilliant in helping to reach this tremendous total.
Events
dchc.org.uk/events/
Volunteers
dchc.org.uk/volunteering/
Donations
dchc.org.uk/donate/
General website
www.dchc.org.uk
Here's to another 135 years!
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
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TODAY! TODAY! TODAY!
Grzegorz Pacho arrives at the Centre - after 1250 gruelling miles! We are so proud of you Greg for keeping going and can only marvel at your perseverance throughout such difficulties. We are so grateful and humbled that you chose to support us!
Nearly there! You’re a champion! ... See MoreSee Less
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📣 GREG’S BIG FINISH
POLAND 🇵🇱 → ENGLAND 🇬🇧
FINISH LINE IN SKEGNESS 🏃♂️➡️🏁
❤️ Dear friends, let’s create a truly special moment together — one that will become part of the history of this incredible initiative.
We invite everyone to join us at 3:00 PM in Skegness to wait together for Grzegorz Pacho on this final day of his run and give him the warm and unforgettable welcome he deserves. 🥹👏🏻❤️
📍 Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, Skegness
🕒 Saturday, 5 September at 3:00 PM
2000km.pl
1200miles.uk
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
Moody's Holiday Let Beresford Cottage in Skegness
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Come on Greg! Homeward bound! It’s incredible what you’re doing and we are so grateful!
Please can everyone get behind Greg and donate to help him keep going! ... See MoreSee Less
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On Monday of this week, 31st August The Needles Pub very generously ran a family fun day.
Mel and Trev from the pub are very supportive of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre and have been raising funds for the last couple of years through events, raffles, tombolas and like on Monday, a family fun day.
The event raised an amazing £650! That’s a staggering amount that means so much to us and will help to directly support holidays for disadvantaged children at our centre in Skegness.
Thank you Mel, Trev and everyone at The Needles pub for everything you’re doing.
Simon Evans
Janine Marie
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