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 £380 funds a holiday for one child. Donate 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.
Connect & share with others – Follow our journey on socialmedia 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.
Facebook Posts
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.
Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters
🏏 Cricket Fans – Don’t Miss This! 🏏
We’re counting down to a brilliant evening of cricket stories, laughter and fundraising at:
An Evening with Devon Malcolm OBE
📅 Thursday 5th March
🕢 7:30pm
📍 Ashbourne Pavilion, Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne DE6 1EJ
🎟️ £20 per ticket (includes a sandwich buffet)
Devon – Derbyshire & England cricket legend – will be interviewed by Jimmy Drew, sharing stories from his incredible career, including that unforgettable 9 for 57 at The Oval.
✨ Plus a charity raffle and auction featuring some fantastic prizes – signed memorabilia, exclusive experiences and more!
Most importantly, every ticket sold helps us provide life-changing seaside holidays for disadvantaged children through Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre as we prepare to welcome over 200 children back to Skegness this year.
If you love cricket, know someone who does, or just fancy a great night out for a great cause — we’d love to see you there.
🎟️ Book now here 👇
[derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/1f7c4d32]
Please share with your cricket-loving friends and help us fill the room! 🙌
#Derbyshire #Cricket #DevonMalcolm #CharityEvent #DCHC #CommunityFundraising ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🙋♀️ Calling all holiday heroes!! 🙋♀️
This year we celebrate a very special birthday.
In 2026 it's 135 years that we've been up and running, giving children a terrific holiday by the sea.
To mark our special 135th birthday, we're calling on everyone who's been a guest at our centre during that time.
We'd like to know:
- Have you stayed with us in Skegness as a child?
- Would you like to help us make our 135th birthday really special?
- Can we hear your stories about your time with us?
If you've stayed with us at any point during the last 135 years, please get in touch.
Drop us a line on [email protected]
We'd love to hear from you. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Has the DCHC have any old photos from 1986 to 1990 x
💛 Can You Help Us Get Ready? 💛
At Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, kindness changes lives.
From Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd March, we’re holding our Skegness Centre Work Party – and we’d love you to join us for any time you can spare.
This year, we’re preparing to welcome over 200 children back to our centre in Skegness for life-changing seaside breaks. Before they arrive, we need helping hands to get everything ready.
🛠️ Trades especially welcome – decorators, joiners, electricians, plumbers
🧽 But we also need amazing volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves for cleaning, painting and general sprucing up
⏰ Join us for a few hours, a full day or bring your sleeping bag and stay over! – Every bit helps!!
A small act of kindness from you could help create a safe, warm and welcoming space where children can build confidence, make friends and just be children.
If you can help, please sign up here:
👉 derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/ef7484e0
Let’s turn kindness into impact this March. ✨
#VolunteerDerbyshire #CommunityImpact #Skegness #MakingADifference ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Its Corey's birthday weekend but I will ask if he wants to come and help as I know he would if it was any other weekend! X
📻 Don't forget to tune in to BBC Derby tomorrow morning ... 📻
Listen out from 7am and you'll be able to hear our wonderful supporter Kerry Anderson chatting to Becky Measures all about why she has chosen to host a ball in memory of her daughter, Emily, this Saturday: February 21.
The 'Be You' ball is being held on what would have been Emily's 30th birthday.
Emily (pictured right, below) sadly took her own life aged 23 - today her mum is choosing to honour her memory by hosting the colourful event in aid of our charity and our friends at Treetops Hospice.
You can hear her story on Becky's breakfast show tomorrow.
And if you want to know how you can help, do consider a donation to Kerry's fundraising - it all goes to help children have a fabulous time by the sea.
Kerry and our CEO Janine Holmes are looking ready for a ball in the picture below - are you?
Here's the link to donate: lnkd.in/eHmR_8mW ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Can’t wait until Saturday. Good luck on the radio tomorrow 😃
Thank You, Derby County FC & Rams Fans! 🐏
A huge thank you to Derby County Football Club for allowing us to collect outside the ground before Saturday’s match at Pride Park.
And to every single supporter who stopped, smiled, chatted, and donated – whether it was loose change or a larger gift – thank you. It all adds up, and it all makes a difference.
We’ve already raised over £1,000 (and we’re still counting!) 🙌
A massive shoutout as well to our fantastic team of volunteers – not everyone is pictured here – who gave up their time in the cold to help us collect. Your energy and commitment mean so much.
Every pound raised helps us provide life-changing seaside holidays for children across Derbyshire who need a break, a boost in confidence, and the chance to just be children.
If you missed us on Saturday but would still like to donate, you can do so here:
👉 www.justgiving.com/dchc
Thank you for helping us continue Giving Derbyshire’s Children a Break.
#DerbyCounty #DCFC #Community #Charity #Derbyshire #MakingADifference #GivingBack ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre - truly an amazing fundraiser for all of us involved. The generosity of Derby County football supporters is unbelievable. Thanks to all that gave and all the volunteers that helped us on the day.
It's been great to see our fabulous fundraiser Kerry Anderson getting the media recognition she deserves.
Kerry is hosting a 'Be You' charity ball on what would have been her daughter Emily's 30th birthday.
Sadly Emily (pictured below) passed away aged 23. But Kerry is channelling her grief in the most incredible way possible - hosting a ball for us and our friends at Treetops Hospice.
Kerry is pictured below with our own CEO Janine Holmes illustrating the 'anything goes' theme of the ball at Pride Park!
It's a tribute to the free spirit that Emily was.
If you can't make the ball on February 21 there is still a way you can support Kerry and her courage. You can donate here - showing support for Kerry and her courage and our charity too.
www.justgiving.com/page/kerry-anderson-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
See the comments below for Kerry's incredible tale of bravery, grief and 'being you', thanks to the team at Derbyshire Live. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/derby-mum-organising-big-ball-10803900.amp
The ‘Be You’ ball is a beautiful tribute to Emily, and we’re proud to stand alongside Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre in recognising the strength behind Kerry’s fundraising. Her story reminds us why the care we provide matters so much to local families.